A man has been charged with the murder of his 47-year-old cousin after deputies responding to a well-being check found the woman’s body in a wheelbarrow in Wadsworth.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office responded around 6:20 p.m. Wednesday to the 13100 block of West Shenandoah Trail in Wadsworth for a check on well-being call.
The caller was a relative of Monica T. Green, 47, who lives at the residence, according to Lake County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Chief Christopher Covelli.
The caller was supposed to pick Green up for an appointment but the woman was not answering the doorbell or her phone.
While in the driveway, Green’s cousin, Quentin V. Harvell, 27, who also resides at the same address, told the caller that Green was not home.
The caller found that odd as Green had no method of transportation, Covelli said.
Sheriff’s deputies arrived and spoke to the 911 caller.
While they were talking to the caller, Harvell exited the residence and spoke with sheriff’s deputies.
Deputies noticed dry blood on Harvell’s arms while speaking with him.
Harvell was detained and sheriff’s deputies conducted a protective sweep of the residence, at which point they located blood inside the home, Covelli said.
Sheriff’s deputies also located a shovel near a rear door.
Deputies continued their sweep outside and located Green deceased in a wheelbarrow near a tree line in the rear of the property.
Green appeared to have several sharp-force injuries and cuts on her body, Covelli said.
Sheriff’s detectives obtained a search warrant for the residence and located numerous items of evidence.
Covelli said detectives found a knife with what appeared to have fresh blood on it.
“We extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Monica. I applaud the fast actions taken by our first-responding sheriff’s deputies and the investigation conducted by our detectives, resulting in the offender being arrested and charged quickly,” Lake County Sheriff John D. Idleburg said.
Harvell was transported to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division to be interviewed.
The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office reviewed the case and Harvell was charged with two counts of first-degree murder.
Harvell remains held in the Lake County Jail pending an initial bond hearing Thursday morning.