A South Carolina woman under authorities suspicion for months has finally been charged with the murder of her boyfriend.
Local news stations report Jessica Marie Strachan, 28, was charged Friday with murder and possession of a weapon during a violent crime. Sheriff’s detectives say she murdered Devantae Griffin. He was declared missing on March 30 and his remains were found in a shallow grave outside Spartanburg in late April.
Strachan was already incarcerated when the additional charges were filed, and it is unknown whether she had an attorney. In the future, a circuit judge will consider bail.
Initial charges against Strachan included obstruction of justice. She attracted suspicion as detectives requested a second interview with her, considering her statements to be dishonest, only to discover she had fled to Florida without their knowledge. In part, she was charged with obstruction because she took Griffin’s cell phone with her.
Strachan was caught in Miami and returned to Spartanburg, where she was granted house arrest after being released from custody. Strachan was then arrested on April 29 for violating her release conditions.
A second person was identified as a person of interest, although no charges have been filed against them.
Blood from Griffin was found “throughout” Strachan’s home, according to investigators. The Coroner’s Office of Spartanburg County declared his death a murder.
