SALISBURY, Md.- Two men are facing first-degree murder and related charges in connection with the death of a woman whose body was found in Johnson Pond in Salisbury.
The Wicomico County Sheriff's Office said that on Sunday, Oct. 11, the Salisbury Police Department responded to the area of Lakeside Drive in Salisbury for a woman's body located in Johnson Pond. The body was identified as Trisha Lyn Parker, of Salisbury. The investigation revealed that Parker’s death appeared to be suspicious.
It was learned that Parker resided on Wyman Drive in Salisbury. Detectives from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division were notified and assumed the investigation, with the assistance of the Salisbury Police Department.
During the course of the investigation, detectives were able to develop a suspect, identified as Marquez Labrante Armstrong, who had reportedly been dating Parker for a few months. On Monday, Oct. 12, detectives located Armstrong and questioned him about the incident. Investigators said that during the questioning, Armstrong confessed to choking and punching Parker, which led to her death. Authorities said Armstrong also led law enforcement to a dumpster, where he had disposed of Parker’s clothing and to the van which was used to transport Parker’s body to Johnson Lake. Armstrong had burned the van using gasoline as an accelerant, according to detectives.
The Sheriff's Office said Armstrong stated that a second person assisted him with the disposal of Parker’s body and burning the van, and identified him as Corey. Detectives identified that suspect as 18-year-old Corey Jamar Jones. On Monday, Oct. 12, Jones was located and placed under arrest. The Sheriff's Office said Jones was interviewed about the incident and indicated that Armstrong punched and choked Parker inside the home on Wyman Drive. According to investigators, Jones further advised that he assisted Armstrong after the fact, by transporting and disposing of Parker’s body, burning of the van, and cleaning the scene of the crime. The Sheriff's Office said Jones was also charged with theft, as he had taken a television and a computer from Parker’s home.
A search and seizure warrant was executed on Parker’s home, which investigators said revealed evidence of a struggle as well as other evidence corroborating Armstrong’s statements. An additional search warrant was executed at Jones' home and as a result, the television and computer were located and recovered.
Armstrong and Jones were both charged with first- and second-degree murder, first- and second-degree assault, second-degree arson, first-degree malicious burning, and disposal of a human body. Jones was additionally charged with theft.
Both suspects are currently being held at the Wicomico County Detention Center. The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with any information related to this crime is asked to call Crime Solvers at 410-548-1776 or the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division at 410-548-4891.
