A US Marine has been charged with the murder of a reality TV star after her body was discovered in a pond. Tshey Bennett had been reported missing for four days before her body was tragically discovered on December 18.
The mum-of-one is believed to have met up with active-duty marine Willie Richard Ellington, 20, at the Sweet Dreams Inn in Pensacola, Florida, last Friday. Her body was later found in an Alabama pond, over 50 miles away from her last known location. The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that Ellington, who was based at NAS Pensacola on Florida’s Gulf Coast, has been charged with first-degree murder. He is also facing child pornography charges following his arrest.
(Image: Lee County Sheriff’s Office)
Earlier this year, 26 year old Tshey featured on the HollyHoodTV reality series Skrippa Bootcamp, which follows 12 exotic dancers living together while they aim to advance their careers. At the time of her death, police believe that Tshey was working as an escort.
Lee County Sheriff Jay Jones commended the collaborative investigative work between his team and Escambia County, revealing that a tip-off led authorities to apprehend the suspect.
Speaking to US news outlet WKRG, he said: “Escambia County investigators tipped us off their suspect might be on a bus scheduled to stop in Opelika. Our team quickly scrambled to the station and set up a surveillance operation. When the bus arrived, investigators spotted and apprehended a man matching the suspect’s description.”
The body of Tshey was discovered by the police, and they suspect she was murdered in Northwest Florida before her body was left in Mobile, Alabama, some 50 miles away. The details of her death or how her body ended up in a pond have not yet been disclosed by officials.
(Image: Facebook)
In their statement, authorities revealed: “On December 14 the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office was notified of a missing person, Tshey Bennett. Due to the suspicious circumstances surrounding her disappearance, investigators have been working the case as a potential homicide.
“The investigation led to the discovery of the deceased body of Tshey Bennett on December 18 in a pond located in an abandoned neighborhood in Mobile, Alabama.
“Investigators have also identified a suspect, Willie Ellington, who is an active duty marine onboard NAS Pensacola. Ellington was located and taken into custody this afternoon in Opelika, Alabama. He is charged with first degree murder and possession of child pornography.”
Police also noted: “Throughout the investigation, it was determined that Tshey Bennett was working as an escort and had met the suspect at the Sweet Dream Inn at the time of her disappearance.”
Tshey’s close pal, Muranda Newson, took to Facebook with an emotional homage to the mother and her son, writing: “I hate that I’m typing this. I hate that that handsome boy who is hurting. I really really hate someone did this to you baby you didn’t deserve this at all. So sweet so smart so about your money baby I just don’t understand.”
View news Source: https://www.ok.co.uk/tv/reality-star-found-dead-pond-34350048
