Social media platform TikTok has helped US police solve a case and arrest a suspect who shot and killed a woman three years ago. According to CNNThe suspect, identified as Benjamin Williams, allegedly killed his estranged girlfriend Joana Peca in Florida three years ago. US Marshals arrested him in Mexico City after a TikTok user recognized him from a photo in a video. The clip was posted by Jasmeen Alexander, a TikTok influencer whose true-crime account has more than 2.8 million followers. The video showed a Florida news station’s coverage of the murder and the search for the suspect.
Police said Williams, 41, shot Joana Peca in the face in July 2021. He convinced her to meet him at a cemetery in St. Petersburg. He told her he wanted to meet his son, but while she was in a van with the baby, Williams allegedly shot her multiple times in the face, killing her. Ms. Peca’s eldest son, 4, was also in the vehicle at the time, but both children were unharmed.
Police say Ms Peca was holding her four-month-old son in her arms when it happened. On the other hand, her eldest son witnessed the entire incident from the backseat.
Now, three years after the incident, Williams has been arrested and charged with first-degree murder and two counts of child abuse. He is being held without bond in the Pinellas County Jail, CNN reported.
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Ms Peca’s family is grateful he has been arrested. “I feel like a Christmas present for me and my boys came early this year, and I couldn’t ask for more than that phone call I got from the police station,” said Eleni Peca, the victim’s mother. The independent.
“Three years and three months is too long. He was on the run, but he couldn’t hide anymore. All eyes were on him and ultimately he is behind bars where he belongs,” she added.
In addition, St. Petersburg Police Chief Anthony Holloway told Ms. Peca’s family: “Nothing we do can replace the loss of your daughter, but at least we have a dangerous person off the streets.”
“Definitely a loving mother… and the family can know now that we have him in custody. He is behind bars where he belongs,” the police chief added.