JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — JSO has released new information on the death of an 18-year-old Jean Ribault High School student that has painted a clearer picture of what police say happened in the hours leading up to her death.
Santeria Williams was found dead near the Trout River last month — police have now charged a 19-year-old man for murder.
STORY: Family confirms missing teen was found dead next to Trout River in Jacksonville
On the morning of Jan. 7, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office was called to Vermillion Street, just off the Trout River.
“Well, there was a report of a dead body, that body was found to be that of Miss Santeria.”
There, on the bank of the river, they found the body of 18-year-old Santeria Williams, who had been shot in the neck.
It was a tragic ending to a search that started two days before.
According to the investigation, Santeria Williams had been reported missing by her mom on Jan. 5.
The victim’s mother told police her daughter had gotten Instagram messages in the middle of the night telling her to come out.
She had been known to sneak out and see 19-year-old Jeffery Edwards. During Edwards’ first appearance in court this week, the prosecutor stated family and friends believe the two knew each other well.
“He and Miss Santeria may have been dating,” the prosecutor said.
But her grandmother told Action News Jax they were not dating.
Almost immediately, Edwards became a person of interest.
RELATED STORY: 19-year-old charged with murder in killing of Ribault High School senior Santeria Williams
“Well, phone records show their last conversation was on Jan. 5, 2022, the night that she went missing or was reported missing,” the prosecutor said.
The investigation showed Santeria’s phone pinged near Edward’s house around 2 a.m.
A few hours later, a jeep registered to his grandparent was recorded on security cameras near Vermillion Street for five minutes, where Santeria’s body was found just over 24 hours later. That jeep contained key evidence.
The prosecutor told the judge: “The jeep had blood in it and blood spots were taken. the blood that was found in the jeep also matched Miss Santeria’s blood.”
A DNA swab from Santeria’s hand matched Edwards, leading police to charge him with the murder. Today, Edwards is in jail on charges of murder, attempted murder and armed robbery.
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