Marlaena Rochelle Bethea, 46, of Washington DC
UPDATE 11/30/2019: Marlaena Rochelle Bethea, 46, of Washington DC,was ordered to be held without bond for a first degree murder case pending against her.
State’s Attorney Richard Fritz and Senior Assistant State’s Attorney Jaymi Sterling are prosecuting this case.
UPDATE 5/27/2019 @ 11:55 p.m.: On May 26, 2019, at approximately 11:20 p.m. deputies from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 35800 block of Bay Drive in Chaptico, for the reported stabbing.
Responding officers located the victim, later identified as Michael Ross Bethea, age 47 of Washington, D.C. suffering from a stab wound.
Lifesaving measures were attempted by responding officers and emergency personnel, however, Bethea was pronounced deceased on the scene.
A preliminary investigation determined the victim was involved in a family dispute and was subsequently stabbed outside the residence. The circumstances surrounding the incident are still under investigation.
Anyone with information on this incident is asked to contact Detective Skyler LeFave at (301) 475-4200 extension *1983 or by email at [email protected].
Citizens may remain anonymous and contact Crime Solvers at (301) 475-3333, or text a tip to “TIP239” plus their message to “CRIMES” (274637). Through the Crime Solvers Program tipsters are eligible for an award of up to $1,000 for information about a crime in St. Mary’s County that leads to an arrest or indictment.
5/27/2019 @ 6:00 a.m.: On Sunday, May 26, 2019, at approximately 11:25 p.m., police fire, and rescue personnel responded to Bay Drive and River Drive in Chaptico, for the reported stabbing.
Dispatchers advised all incoming rescue personnel units to stage in the area until police could secure the scene.
Crews arrived on scene to find a 48-year-old male with a stab wound to the chest and shortly after, police advised the victim was not breathing and started CPR until emergency medical technicians arrived.
The male was declared deceased on the scene.
The suspect and one additional patient were transported from the scene to an area hospital with unknown injuries.
The St. Mary’s County Sheriffs Office and Criminal Investigations Division responded to the scene to investigate the incident.
A spokesperson from the Sheriffs Office told SMNEWSNET that they were investigating a homicide.
Updates will be provided when they become available.
