JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Police have arrested a suspect in the January slaying of a 48-year-old taxi cab driver whose body was found stuffed in the trunk of her cab.
Denise Manning's body was found in the truck of her Gator City Taxi in the parking lot of the Emmett Reed Recreation Center on Jan. 11, a couple of hours after her dispatcher had received a distress call from the vehicle.
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Homicide detectives announced Monday morning that Rex McKennie, 19, was brought back to Jacksonville and was charged with robbery and murder in the case.
"McKennie's residence was in close proximity to where Ms. Manning and her taxi were recovered," said Jacksonville Sheriff's Office Lt. Pay Ivey.
According to the arrest report, investigators found McKennie's fingerprint inside the cab. They traced him to the Polk County jail, where he was being held on unrelated charges.
Police said he had moved from Jacksonville to Lakeland with his mother the day after Manning was killed.
McKennie denied any involvement in the slaying, but investigators said his mother had Manning's stolen cell phone.
The report also says a Polk County inmate told investigators details of the murder as relayed to him by McKennie.
Mark Hayden of Gator City Taxi said for the past 10 months the people at his company have grieved and worried. He said McKennie's arrest should help everyone have a little closure.
"Obviously, there was a lot of concern about Denise Manning's murder. It was really hard. She was a very well-respected member of our family and we were really sad about the loss," Hayden said. "While it won't bring Denise back, it is good to have a person like this off the streets."
McKennie is being held without bond pending arraignment on Nov 13.
Previous Stories:
- January 13, 2006: Former Cab Driver Warned Victim About Danger
- January 11, 2006: Police: Missing Driver's Body Found In Trunk Of Cab