GRANT PARISH, La. — Louisiana authorities have charged the man wanted in connection with the slaying of 20-year-old Samuel Smith, who was camping at Chewalla Lake in Marshall County, Mississippi, according to station KALB.
Joshua Fletcher, 31, turned himself into law enforcement Sunday in Humphrey’s County, MS.
Fletcher was seen in surveillance video shortly after the killing. Police issued an arrest warrant for Fletcher shortly after Smith’s body was found by a fisherman in Chewalla Lake in Marshall County on July 29.
Smith’s body appeared to have signs of trauma on his head.
Fletcher was seen on surveillance video shortly after the murder took place.
Marshall County law enforcement officers searched through thousands of acres of woods in hopes of locating Fletcher. The National Guard and the state police were used throughout the search.
Based on the autopsy results, authorities think the suspect drowned Smith three or four days before his body was found.
Fletcher has his initial court appearance this morning and is being held on a $1 million bond.
