A large group gathered outside of the home where Melissa Ketunuti's body was found Monday.
Jason Smith, 36, made his first appearance in court Thursday night for the murder of Center City doctor Melissa Ketunuti. (Courtesy: Philadelphia Police Department)
A Levittown exterminator made his first appearance in court Thursday night for the murder of Center City doctor Melissa Ketunuti. Jason Smith, 36 is being held without bail on murder, arson and related charges.
Meanwhile about 80 friends, neighbors and co-workers held a candlelight march to the front door steps of the Naudain Street home where Ketunuti was killed on Monday.
"There are these amazing people and there's so much love and support that I have always felt at every stage" said Ketunuti's boyfriend Levon Utidjian.
Neighbors in the area felt compelled to come out on a bitter cold night to pay their respects. Most finding comfort that someone is behind bars for the murder.
"It points out that it could happen to anybody at anytime anyone of us lets people in to our houses without doing background checks or having somebody else present" said neighbor Julia Bringhurst.
Ketunuti's body was found hogtied, strangled and burned by her dog walker Monday afternoon. Police say Smith confessed to the crime. Smith was hired to remove rodents from Ketunuti's home when police say there was some sort of argument.
"It went terribly wrong at that point he struck her and while she was in the basement knocked her down strangled her to death and ultimately set her body on fire" said Homicide Unit Capt. James Clark
Police arrested Smith in less than 48 hours after the murder. They say video surveillance helped catch Smith as he parked his silver Ford F-150 pick-up truck nearby Ketunuti's house. Cameras also captured Smith driving around the block twice after the murder. Detectives say Smith's phone number was on Ketunuti's phone and traced the number to Smith's Levittown home.
"You have a young physician that dedicated her life to helping people and to die in this tragic way is sad" said Clark.
Smith was a unknown to police, having only minor offenses. Smith is scheduled to appear in court again on February 13.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 10:20 PM EDT2013-06-19 02:20:21 GMT
Doctor Michelle Liggio was a very popular Pensauken doctor. Tonight she's a murder victim. Police say her husband shot her inside her office before turning the gun on himself.
Doctor Michelle Liggio was a very popular Pensauken doctor. Tonight she's a murder victim. Police say her husband shot her inside her office before turning the gun on himself.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 10:14 PM EDT2013-06-20 02:14:32 GMT
At approximately 2:45pm Wednesday afternoon, a bank robbery occurred at the National Penn Bank on E. High Street in Pottstown, PA. Police have captured three of the fours suspects so far.
At approximately 2:45pm Wednesday afternoon, a bank robbery occurred at the National Penn Bank on E. High Street in Pottstown, PA. Police have captured three of the fours suspects so far.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 8:19 PM EDT2013-06-20 00:19:58 GMT
Breaking news in North Philadelphia on the 2300 block of North Tenth Street, where three people, including a pregnant woman, were shot. This happened just before four this afternoon.
Breaking news in North Philadelphia on the 2300 block of North Tenth Street, where three people, including a pregnant woman, were shot. This happened just before four this afternoon.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 6:11 PM EDT2013-06-19 22:11:57 GMT
If you hated going to traffic court in Philadelphia, you won't have to anymore! Today, Governor Tom Corbett signed a bill abolishing traffic court,effective immediately.
If you hated going to traffic court in Philadelphia, you won't have to anymore! Today, Governor Tom Corbett signed a bill abolishing traffic court,effective immediately.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 5:57 PM EDT2013-06-19 21:57:28 GMT
A main line mascot gets the boot. At issue: cultural sensitivity.It's an issue that's been playing out on athletic fields all over America: re-thinking team names and the mascots that go with them.
A main line mascot gets the boot. At issue: cultural sensitivity.It's an issue that's been playing out on athletic fields all over America: re-thinking team names and the mascots that go with them.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 5:47 PM EDT2013-06-19 21:47:02 GMT
City administration officials came before a City Council committee with orders not to talk about the building collapse, but that didn't stop council members from raising questions.
City administration officials came before a City Council committee with orders not to talk about the building collapse, but that didn't stop council members from raising questions.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 5:06 PM EDT2013-06-19 21:06:59 GMT
Six of the people accused in one of the largest public corruption cases in our area's history plead guilty today in court. 18 people total are accused of bilking the Bensalem school district.
Six of the people accused in one of the largest public corruption cases in our area's history plead guilty today in court. 18 people total are accused of bilking the Bensalem school district.
A large group gathered outside of the home where Melissa Ketunuti's body was found Monday.
Jason Smith, 36, made his first appearance in court Thursday night for the murder of Center City doctor Melissa Ketunuti. (Courtesy: Philadelphia Police Department)
