ST. LOUIS — An arrest was made and charges have been issued in the death of a woman who was found shot in the head inside her apartment Thursday morning.
St. Louis police Sgt. Charles Wall said the circuit attorney's office issued charges Friday afternoon against 36-year-old Joel Davis. He faces first-degree murder and armed criminal action. Investigators quickly identified Davis as a suspect and arrested him Thursday in connection to the woman's death.
Police said homicide detectives responded shortly after 8:30 a.m. Thursday after they received a report that someone could possibly be dead inside an apartment in the 4300 block of Maryland Avenue in St. Louis' Central West End neighborhood.
When detectives entered the apartment, they found a 41-year-old woman who had been shot in the head. Her name has not been released.
According to the probable cause statement, on Sept. 14, a witness told police that Davis told him he killed the woman inside their apartment on Sept. 12. Surveillance video revealed that Davis was the last person to enter and leave her apartment. The video also showed that Davis had left the scene in the woman's car, which was found in Jefferson County, Missouri, shortly after.
Police found and arrested Davis that same day. Police then conducted a recorded interview and Davis confessed to killing the woman. Davis cried and said he had been in a serious argument with the woman that evening, according to the probable cause statement.
Davis remains in custody at the St. Louis Police Department without bond.
Anyone with information is urged to call the Homicide Division directly at 314-444-5371, or anyone with a tip who wants to remain anonymous and is interested in a reward can contact CrimeStoppers at 866-371-TIPS (8477).
This is a developing story. 5 On Your Side will update this story as soon as information becomes available.
Resources for crime victims:
If you have been a victim of a crime or know someone who has been, 5 On Your Side has compiled a list of resources.
The Crime Victim Center of St. Louis has multiple programs to support victims of crime. Crime Victim Center’s programs range from direct services to crime victims as well as “creating awareness and change within the systems they encounter.”
Life Outside of Violence "helps those harmed by stabbing, gunshot or assault receive the treatment, support and resources they need to find alternatives to end the cycle of violence."
The Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis has the Neighborhood Healing Network, which serves people who have experienced crime, violence or been the victim of an incident that caused trauma.
Cure Violence is an international organization that is present in a handful of St. Louis neighborhoods. Violence interrupters are trained to de-escalate violent situations within their own communities.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health or thinking of suicide, help is available 24 hours a day through several hotlines. Use the numbers below or click the links for more information.
