Ex-boyfriend arrested after police find missing ballerina's body in New York storage shed
Police say they have arrested the ex-boyfriend of Jenni-Lyn Watson, whose body was found in a storage shed near Clay Central Park, New York.
Steven Pieper faces arraignment on murder charges, police said at a press conference today.
Watson and Pieper had an on-and-off relationship over an 18-month period, according to district attoey William Fitzpatrick.
Watson's body was found at 10.30am in the park, where the search had focused since she disappeared on November 19.
Watson's family has been notified and will identify the remains.
An autopsy is planned for tomorrow moing.
Watson, 20, disappeared a day after retuing home to Clay for Thanksgiving break.
Undersheriff Warren Darby said on Friday that more than 100 people were searching for her.
He said the search expanded from 600 acres to 1,200 acres. Watson was a junior dance major at Mercyhurst College in Erie, Pa.
Her parents had told investigators it was ‘uncharacteristic’ for the pretty college student to go off on her own without telling anybody.
Miss Watson’s murder has stunned the entire community of Liverpool, which had thrown itself into finding her.
Dressed as an angel: Jenni-Lyn Watson in an undated picture, on her mobile phone at a fancy dress party dressed as an angel
Fun-loving: Pictures of Jenni-Lyn - on a website dedicated to finding her - show the 20-year-old as a vibrant and witty woman
Found dead: Jenni-Lyn, of Liverpool, New York, disappeared on November 19 after going home for Thanksgiving
Dancing passion: Jenni-Lyn loved ballet and was a junior dance major at Mercyhurst College
Friends held a vigil at Mercyhurst College, while others in Liverpool handed out flyers to members of the public.
A website and a Facebook page was set up to help find her - the Facebook page attracting more than 27,000 members.
Pictures posted on both show Miss Watson enjoying herself like any girl her age - at a senior ball, at the seaside with friends and at a party in fancy dress as an angel.
Search: Police comb a wooded area where Jenni-Lynn's mobile phone was last used
Gruesome discovery: Police found Jenni-Lyn's body inside a storage unit in the park where they had been concentrating their search
On her Facebook page she lists one of her favourite quotes as: ‘You are only as strong as the martinis you drink.... tables you dance on and the friends that you have.’
Sergeant John D'Eredita of the Onondaga County Sheriff's Office said two search teams and sniffer dogs had combed around 200 acres of woodland bordering an industrial area in Clay, a short distance away from Liverpool.
Miss Watson had just finished her exams at Mercyhurst College when she came back home.
Friends and relatives said her disappearance was 'abnormal' as they prayed for her safe retu
Jenni-Lynn, shown here in a ballerina pose in an image from her Facebook page, was last seen just five miles from her home
She was last seen on Friday moing at the family home by her parents and 17-year-old sister.
When they came back that that afteoon she had vanished, apparently taking just her mobile phone.
Her wallet and house keys were still indoors.
What's Your Reaction?
Like
0
Dislike
0
Love
0
Funny
0
Angry
0
Sad
0
Wow
0
