MONTCLAIR, NJ — Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray and Montclair Police Chief Todd Conforti have announced that authorities have arrested a suspect in the murder of Sarah Butler, 20, of Montclair. On Dec. 6, detectives arrested Khalil Wheeler-Weaver, 20, of Orange and he has been charged with one count of murder and one count of disturbing of human remains, according to a Dec. 7 press release.
The victim was reported missing to the Montclair Police Department on Nov. 23 and her body was discovered by law enforcement officers on Dec. 1 in Eagle Rock Reservation in West Orange. An autopsy determined that Butler died as a result of compression of the neck and her death was ruled a homicide. An investigation by the Prosecutor’s Homicide Task Force led to Wheeler-Weaver being arrested.
Murray commended the work of the Montclair Police Department on the missing persons investigation and she praised the efforts of the detectives and assistant prosecutors of the Homicide Task Force for their work on the investigation.
Wheeler-Weaver is being held in the Essex County Correctional Facility. Bail has been set at $1 million by Judge Stephanie Ann Mitterhoff. Wheeler-Weaver will be arraigned in Essex County Superior Court on Tuesday, Dec. 13, at 9 a.m. before Judge Ronald Wigler at Essex County Veterans Courthouse in Newark.
The charges against this defendant are merely accusations. He is presumed innocent until proved guilty in a court of law.
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