Incident Overview
U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) has reported the arrest of a man believed to be responsible for the murder of a pregnant woman in Kentucky, happening in September. The suspect, DeMarcus Kenneth Johnson-Wright, was apprehended in Clarksville, Tennessee.
Details of the Crime
According to USMS, officers from the Pineville, Kentucky police department were dispatched to a residence on George Martin Drive on September 23. Upon arrival, they discovered the deceased body of 41-year-old April (Barlow) Celio. The Bell County Coroner’s Office later classified her death as a homicide.
It was revealed the following day that Celio was pregnant at the time of her death; however, the State Medical Examiner’s Office reported that no fetus was found in her womb. Investigators did recover what are believed to be fetal remains during a thorough examination of the crime scene.
Investigation Progression
Subsequent investigations led to the identification of Johnson-Wright as the primary suspect. USMS noted that he has a significant history of violent crimes and was already wanted on multiple felony charges in Tennessee.
On September 25, authorities issued a felony warrant for first-degree robbery and kidnapping regarding the case. Johnson-Wright was later charged with murder and tampering with physical evidence on September 30.
Arrest Details
After a request for assistance from the Pineville police and Bell County Sheriff’s Office on September 30, USMS located Johnson-Wright. He was arrested later that day at a residence on Timber Court Drive in Clarksville, Tennessee, with support from local police and a sheriff’s K-9 unit. A search executed at the property yielded materials pertinent to the ongoing investigation.
Current Status of the Suspect
Johnson-Wright is currently detained at the Montgomery County Detention Center, awaiting extradition back to Kentucky. The investigation into the circumstances surrounding Celio’s death continues as authorities gather more information.
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