A Virginia man accused of killing his mother’s boyfriend has been captured, officials confirmed.
According to the U.S. Marshals Services, authorities arrested 22-year-old Michael Brown in Franklin County on Wednesday morning, NBC 10 reports. Brown is accused of killing his mother’s boyfriend, Rodney Brown, on November 9.
As CrimeOnline previously reported, Brown was a combat engineer assigned to the 8th Engineer Support Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, II Marine Expeditionary Force, and stationed at Camp Lejeune. The Marine Corps and 2nd Marine Logistics Group told authorities that Brown failed to show up for duty on October 24.
Prior to his capture, Brown was reportedly last seen tapping on the window of his grandmother’s house in the 2600 block of Tillett Road in Roanoke on November 14. A neighbor called 911 but Brown managed to escape.
According to a criminal complaint, Brown’s mother, Vanessa Brown, told police she saw her son kill his adoptive father before fleeing their home. Shortly after, the Marine Corps declared Brown as a deserter.
Although a motive for the killing is unclear, neighbors of the family previously said that Brown grew up thinking Rodney Brown was his real father and had recently discovered that it wasn’t true.
Franklin County court records indicated that a child abuse case was opened against Rodney Brown in 2006. However, the charges were later dropped.
Brown has been charged with second-degree murder and using a firearm in the commission of a felony.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
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[Feature Photo: Michael Brown/Franklin County Sheriff’s Office]
