Two Arrested for Caroline County Murder

DENTON, MD – Maryland State Police homicide investigators have charged two Caroline County women with the murder of a man whose body was found in the Choptank River near Denton Sunday morning.

The victim is identified as Louis R. Nichols, 71, of the 300-block of South Fourth Street, Denton, Md. Nichols lived at that address with Charlene Weddle, the daughter of his deceased spouse, and Weddle’s friend, Mary Chider. Nichols’ wife died about one month ago.

The first suspect is identified as Charlene R. Weddle, 45, of the 300-block of South Fourth Street, Denton, Md. She is charged with first and second degree murder and first degree assault. Following her initial appearance before a court commissioner, Weddle was incarcerated in the Caroline County Detention Center without bond.

The second suspect is identified as Mary S. Chider, 34, of same address. She is charged with first and second degree murder and first and second degree assault. She will be taken before a court commissioner for an initial appearance later this morning.

At about 11:00 a.m. on July 24, 2011, a man fishing in the Choptank River just north of business Rt. 404, saw a body in the water near the west bank of the river, not far from the old Rt. 404 bridge. Deputies from the Caroline County Sheriff’s Office responded, along with Natural Resources Police and criminal investigators from the State Police Easton Barrack.

State Police Homicide Unit investigators were called and continued the investigation. They were provided invaluable assistance from investigators with the Caroline County Sheriff’s Office, the State Police Easton Barrack, and members of the Caroline County State’s Attorney’s Office.

An autopsy of the victim conducted at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore determined the victim was murdered. Forensic pathologists found the victim had cutting wounds to his head and hands, none of which had injured vital organs, but some of which were wounds he likely sustained while trying to defend himself.

According to the medical examiner, the victim had also sustained blunt force trauma to the head and had been asphyxiated. Autopsy evidence indicated the victim was already dead when his body was placed in the river.

State Police homicide investigators obtained search warrants and processed the victim’s home and vehicle for evidence. Inside his home, investigators found blood and other evidence that indicates the victim was murdered there. Inside his vehicle, a conversion type van, they found blood evidence consistent with a body that was bleeding being transported in the vehicle.

During interviews with friends and witnesses, investigators learned Weddle was heard threatening to kill the victim Saturday night. A witness also saw Weddle driving the victim’s van at about 9:00 a.m. Sunday morning, near the river where the victim was found.

A motive for the murder remains unclear at this time. The investigation is continuing.