(MANOKIN, MD) – Maryland State Police recovered the body of a Delaware woman who has been missing for four months and have arrested two Wicomico County men as their investigation continues into what caused the death of the woman.
An examination today at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore identified the body as Whitney L. Bennett, 23, of the 36000-block of Susan Beach Road, Delmar, Delaware. Although the body was identified, the medical examiner said the cause and manner of Bennett’s death remains undetermined. Additional forensic examination and tests will be conducted.
State Police investigators last night arrested two men in connection with the ongoing investigation into the disappearance of Bennett. They are identified as Steven L. Akers, 36, and Claude H. Hill, 49, both of the 400-block of South Camden Ave., Fruitland, Md. Both Akers and Hill are charged with accessory after the fact and obstruction of justice. They are being held in the Wicomico County Detention Center on $100,000 bond. They are believed to have known Bennett and others with whom she associated.
Bennett was reported missing by her mother to the Delaware State Police on December 9, 2010. Delaware State Police investigators determined Bennett had last been seen alive in Wicomico County on December 4, 2010. The Wicomico County Bureau of Investigation (WCBI) assumed the investigation into Bennett’s disappearance and began an intense search for her which has continued through this weekend.
During this past weekend, WCBI investigators received information indicating a possible location of a buried body that could be Bennett. Investigators obtained a search warrant for an unoccupied property of several acres located in the 29000-block of Pond Run Drive in Manokin, in Somerset County. WCBI and Maryland State Police Homicide Unit investigators served the search warrant yesterday morning. With the assistance of State Police crime scene technicians, investigators recovered the body from where it was buried in a wooded area on the rural property.
The state’s attorneys from both Wicomico and Somerset counties worked with investigators throughout the weekend. No one has been charged with the death of Bennett and it has not officially been ruled a homicide.
The investigation is active and ongoing. Investigators are working to develop information on when and how Bennett died and if anyone was responsible for her death. Anyone with information is urged to contact Maryland State Police at the Salisbury Barrack at 410-749-3101. Persons with information may also call Wicomico County Crimes Solvers at 410-548-1776 and may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000.
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Mike Lewis wouldn't investigate this case saying there was no foul play. Looks like Mike keeps slipping more and more. I recently heard Leggs was seen with Sarah on rt 50 3 days before she was murdered too. Is there another story there Joe. Maybe the aunt didn't break things off with Leggs like they claimed and what was he doing with that child.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting. I had heard some of the same information. Unless your the source who told me that information, contact me at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com so we can discuss it some more.
ReplyDeletenot officially a homicide?!! reallyy? they thinkin she buried herself there?!
ReplyDeleteI guess the candlelight vigil work and God answered the prayers. My heart goes out to the family. They will really need your prayer now.
ReplyDeleteWLM
Father, bless this family with the loss of a child and mother. Bless the three young children who will live the rest of their life without their Mom. May the family have some closure and in time, a level of peace. Bring those who killed her to a full level of prosecution, no pleas this time. Murderers need to be put on death row. Give our SA as much courage with murderers as he boasts of with prosecuting lesser crimes. Just don't understand why so much time and effort is put on the lesser crimes in Wicomico County and let off someone like Leggs!! Don't have a repeat performance Matt!
ReplyDeleteI think it is hilarious that you scooped JT on this. He is probably out buying up all the copies of the Sun paper today basking in his own glory, while "his" story gets broken on SBYNews. Guess what, JT, YOU'VE BEEN BLOGGED!
ReplyDeleteWOW these two clowns have been around
ReplyDeletelooks like they stayed in trouble
someone needs to write a book. there is so much we still don't know and can't connect the dots until we know....so much doesn't make sense.
ReplyDeletethese hills stay in jail and they are all brothers and the only house on s camden that looks all nasty with stuff out in front yard for sale.. They are nasty people and they hurt people all the time
ReplyDeleteStill not sure how a life in prison conviction is "letting someone off."
ReplyDeleteI'd take a life in prison conviction any day over the chance of a mistrial or acquittal every time.
10:05 The Fearless leaders said it was a slam dunk death case. He is going to stay in prison until killed by lethal injection that could be sooner than the rest of his life (and therefor cheaper) and more in-line with real justice. In either case he's in jail for the rest of his life. Who knows when the MD govt will bring back the death penalty and start enforcing again? No one! So we did let HIM off and you and I will now pay the bill! This SUCKS! Sorry!
ReplyDeleteWhen are these young girls going to learn to stay away from these criminals! I looked up Hill and he's another one who should have been locked up and the key tossed away. It looks like his son too is a career criminal.
ReplyDelete@ 4:16 couldn't have said it better!
ReplyDeleteI have known the Hill family for years and it breaks my heart to think that they could have done this but I really do think they did it and my heart goes out to Whitneys family RIP Whitney u will be missed alot and they will catch who did this and I have a feelin I will say 'My gut was right' I hope they are caught and put in jail if they did it!!
ReplyDelete