Florida police have arrested a former sheriff’s office employee in the death of a missing private investigator whose body was found a day earlier.
The Pensacola News Journal reported that former Escambia County Sheriff’s Office employee Ashley McArthur (pictured right) was arrested and charged with the first-degree homicide of Taylor Wright, 33 (pictured left). Missing since September 7, authorities said they discovered Wright’s body in a wooded area in North Pensacola around noon on Thursday.
Arrested for 1st Degree Premeditated Homicide: Ashley McArthurAshley McArthur has been arrested for the homicide of…
Posted by Escambia County Sheriff's Office on Thursday, October 19, 2017
Pensacola Police Department spokesman Mike Wood told the local paper that McArthur and Wright knew one another but deferred additional questions to the ESCO, which is taking over the case.
The News Journal noted that PPD initially claimed it didn’t believe foul play was involved in Wright’s disappearance. Light on specifics, Wood said Thursday that a series of false statements and information provided in the missing persons case led investigators to believe that the victim left on her own accord.
Wright also served with the Jacksonville, North Carolina, Police Department from January 2008 to August 2009 and from July 2012 to December 2013, according to a statement obtained by WEAR.
“Officer Taylor Wright was a brave and spirited young officer, who we were happy to rehire to service when she returned to the area in 2012,” Jacksonville Police Department Deputy Chief Timothy A. Malfitano said. “She was a loved and valued member of our law enforcement family. We offer our heartfelt condolences to Taylor’s family and friends.”
This is an ongoing investigation. Check back with CrimeOnline for updates as they become available.
[Featured Image: WEAR/Escambia County Jail]
