GDELTKentucky
Goldstein: 2.5Tone: -4.3
A 32-year-old Indiana man was arrested Saturday after allegedly fleeing from law enforcement and climbing over the railing of the William Natcher Bridge over the Ohio River.
Christopher Knabal was taken into custody after Daviess County Sheriff's Office deputies, with assistance from multiple agencies, responded to the area of U.S. Highway 60 East and Iceland Spur near Maceo at about 1:50 p.m.
According to the Daviess County Sheriff's Office, Kentucky State Police requested assistance after receiving a report that a man with several active warrants had fled into nearby woods.
Daviess County deputies helped KSP establish a perimeter, while the sheriff's office drone and K-9 units also responded.
Knabal was eventually spotted walking on the William Natcher Bridge toward Indiana, according to the sheriff's office.
A Daviess County deputy approached Knabal, who allegedly ran from deputies and refused orders to stop, resulting in a foot chase.
Knabal then climbed over the bridge's railing in a section spanning the Ohio River in an attempt to evade law enforcement, according to the sheriff's office. It initially was unclear whether he had jumped from the bridge.
The Daviess County and Owensboro fire departments responded with rescue boats and determined that Knabal was hiding on the lower side of the bridge.
Daviess County Sheriff's Office Sgt. Matt Alexander eventually climbed over the bridge railing and made contact with Knabal. After a brief discussion, Alexander convinced Knabal to climb back over the railing and surrender, according to the sheriff's office.
Knabal was charged with third-degree fleeing or evading police, third degree and first-degree wanton endangerment, of a police officer
He was transported by KSP to the Daviess County Detention Center, where he faces charges from both the sheriff's office and KSP.
The bridge was closed to all traffic for approximately an hour before reopening.
Agencies assisting with the incident included KSP, Daviess County Sheriff's Office, Owensboro-Daviess County Central Dispatch, Spencer County Sheriff's Office, Rockport Police Department, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife, Daviess County Fire Department, Yelvington Fire Department, Owensboro Fire Department and AMR Ambulance Service.
"The swift response as well as close coordination and communication of all these agencies led to a safe and successful resolution to this situation. I am especially proud of Sergeant Matt Alexander for bravely approaching the suspect at his own risk which convinced him to surrender," Sheriff Brad Youngman said.
The sheriff's office added that KSP likely will provide additional information regarding its charges and involvement in the incident.
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Open article →NBCCalifornia
Goldstein: -7.0Tone: -100.0CAMEO 17
A man in Southern California is facing murder charges in connection to his wife’s killing 20 years ago.
Jeff Anthony Maiorca, 53, was arrested Monday after local authorities in San Bernardino discovered the remains of Jill Maiorca hidden in the crawlspace beneath a home in Big Bear.
Jill Maiorca was reported missing from Big Bear Lake in 2007 and authorities now say she was murdered in November 2006, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department. She was 29.
Authorities resumed their investigation into her disappearance on Oct. 28, 2020, when deputies from the Big Bear Sheriff’s Station responded to a call from someone who reported “a suspicious discovery in the crawlspace” under a residence, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department said in a news release on Monday night. Upon arrival, they realize that hidden beneath the home were “unidentified human remains.”
An autopsy conducted on the remains determined the manner of death to be homicide.
In 2023, the remains were identified as those of Jill Maiorca following “additional investigative DNA analysis” after cold case homicide investigators took over the case, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department. Her remains had long been concealed beneath the Big Bear house without the homeowner’s knowledge.
Cold case detectives eventually identified Jill Maiorca’s former husband, Jeff Maiorca, as a suspect in her murder.
Public records show Jeff Maiorca had filed for divorce from Jill Maiorca in Los Angeles County in 2004.
Local authorities detained Jeff Maiorca on Monday afternoon at the Big Bear Lake branch library on Garstin Drive, arrest records show. He is currently being held without bail at the High Desert Jail in Adelanto, California.
Records from the San Bernardino County Superior Court in California show Jeff Maiorca had an initial hearing on Wednesday. He was formally charged with murder and use of a deadly weapon, records show.
Records do not yet list an attorney for Jeff Maiorca. His next court hearing is scheduled for Oct. 12.
The investigation into Jill Maiorca’s disappearance and death remain ongoing. The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department is encouraging anyone with information to contact their homicide detail team.
Open article →GDELTCalifornia
Goldstein: -2.0Tone: -11.7
A Southern California man is accused of murdering his ex-wife nearly 20 years ago and hiding her body in a crawl space “without the homeowner’s knowledge,” authorities said.
Jeff Maiorca was arrested Monday, September 21, in the death of his former spouse, Jill Maiorca, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.
Jeff, 53, was charged with murder, the agency said in a news release on Tuesday, September 22.
Jill was 29 when she was reported missing from Big Bear Lake, where she lived in the San Bernardino National Forest, in 2007.
In October 2020, unidentified human remains — later confirmed as belonging to Jill — were found in a crawl space at a Big Bear Lake home located along Forest Road, according to the sheriff’s office.
That morning, deputies responded to the residence after a person made a “suspicious discovery” in their crawl space.
Before the discovered remains were positively identified as Jill, an autopsy revealed she had been killed, per the release.
“Despite DNA testing and continued investigative efforts, the identity of the deceased remained unknown, and the investigation remained unsolved,” the sheriff’s office said.
In 2023, cold case investigators with the sheriff’s department had the remains analyzed further, eventually confirming it was Jill’s body.
Investigators ultimately linked Jeff to the alleged crime, with evidence seeming to indicate he killed Jill in November 2006, according to the sheriff’s office.
Prosecutors claim Jeff used a knife to kill her, per a felony complaint viewed by People.
A potential motive for the murder wasn’t specified by law enforcement.
Jeff filed for divorce from Jill in 2004, according to records viewed by SFGATE.
When arrested on Monday, Jeff was reportedly apprehended at a library in Big Bear Lake. He was booked into the Big Bear Jail.
Information on his legal representation wasn’t immediately available.
Records viewed by Us show Jeff is ineligible for bail. He’s currently detained at the High Desert Jail. A court appearance hasn’t been scheduled yet.
The sheriff’s department continues to investigate the circumstances of Jill’s death.
“Anyone with information regarding Jill Maiorca’s disappearance or murder is asked to contact Detective Malcolm Page or Sergeant Justin Giles, Specialized Investigations Division, Homicide Detail, at (909) 890-4916,” the agency said.
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