Florida man arrested for 2 murders in Melbourne, Pennsylvania, police say
By Matt Trezza
Arrest made in 2 murders in Melbourne, Pennsylvania
Friends and family would like to remember Jo Ellen Johnson as a happy, caring retired teacher, who loved life and helping others. On Thursday, police in Virginia arrested 33-year-old Brian Karl Peters, Jr. He is a suspect in Johnson s murder and another death in Pennsylvania.
MELBOURNE, Fla. - Friends and family would like to remember Jo Ellen Johnson as a happy, caring retired teacher, who loved life and helping others. She was an educator, she had worked with all levels of students from middle school science students all the way to special needs students, her friend Kelly Rodriguez said.
Melbourne man fatally beat 71-year-old neighbor, fled Florida before slaying Pennsylvania man, police say
Suspect arrested in Virginia also accused of killing man in Pennsylvania
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Brian Karl Peters, Jr., 33 (mug shot from a previous arrest) (Copyright 2021 by WKMG ClickOrlando - All rights reserved.)
MELBOURNE, Fla. – The man who killed a 71-year-old woman in Brevard County and buried her beaten body behind a blighted, former thrift store is now behind bars in Virginia, according to Melbourne police.
According to a news release, Brian Karl Peters Jr., 33, was picked up by Virginia State Police on March 31. Investigators said Peters was found in a stolen car and was wanted for another murder in Pennsylvania.
Detectives searched the property and found a mound of freshly turned-over ground, not far from where Peters had his residence. The area was then sifted through and dug up. Her body was recovered.
Police said the decomposed body had signs of blunt force trauma. It also appears that Johnson may have been strangled.
Police questioned Peters, who denied any knowledge of what happened to Johnson. I don t know, I hope nothing bad happened to her, Peters told detectives at the time.
A warrant for Peters’ arrest was issued March 24 and included a premeditated murder charge linked to Johnson’s homicide. No motive was given.
Authorities in two states say Brian Karl Peters Jr., 33, is no novice when it comes to allegedly committing acts of violence.
In 2012, he pleaded guilty to simple assault and criminal mischief after Hellam Township Police arrested him the year before. Charges of aggravated assault and harassment were dropped at a pre-trial conference.
Not only that, but at the time of Runkle s death, there was already a warrant for Peters arrest out of Melbourne, Florida, on charges of first-degree premeditated murder, tampering with evidence and criminal use of personal identification information, according to the Brevard County Sheriff s Office in Florida.
In Tuesday s homicide, West Manchester Township Police have charged Peters with criminal homicide, and murder of the first, second and third degree, according to online court dockets.