The body was found four miles off Highway 56 around 7:30 p.m. Monday in Waynesboro, Ga.
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“At this time, we can not, I repeat, we can not, confirm that the body is that of Father Rene Robert”. A man named Steven James Murray, who was the police’s “person of interest” was arrested after he was seen driving the priest’s auto. They have a lot of questions for their lead suspect.
Shoar said Murray also broke into homes in SC before his arrest, and was found with multiple guns including a rifle with a scope. At the time of the Florida priest’s disappearance, Murray had only been out of jail for a few weeks.
Before Robert was found dead, his sister told News4Jax that she feared his tendency to help people had got him into trouble.
Murray has been charged with aggravated fleeing and attempting to elude related to his arrest.
After he was arrested, Murray was interviewed and led police to the site of the body.
Crews spent the weekend searching a large area on the Westside, bordered by I-10, Beaver Street, I-295 and Baldwin, then announced Sunday night they were scaling back the large-scale search.
This afternoon, Murray led detectives to several locations involved in this case to include the location where a body was found.
Father Rene Robert, a priest of the Diocese of St. Augustine, Fla., is pictured in a 2009 photo.
Authorities have identified the suspect as 28-year-old Steve James Murray of Jacksonville, Florida.
An autopsy on the body confirmed that the cause of death was homicide due to multiple gunshots.
Authorities say the priest worked with prisoners, a calling police say put him in contact with his killer.
Father Robert, who was originally from Waterford in upstate NY, was deeply mourned by his friends and family. Although the Florida priest was a forgiving man, Bryan said he is simply not ready for forgiveness. That is the guy that is on the news.’ I said, ‘Do not open that door.’ And he was telling us to let him in. “When I warned him, he told me, ‘I am doing what God is telling me to do, ‘ and I believed him. Hopefully we can do something to eliminate this in the future”.
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“I join many others within our community who were touched by Father Rene over the years and extend my condolences to his family and friends”, Shoar said. “I am confident that all of the investigators will continue their hard work in seeking a successful prosecution of this heinous act”. It’s believed Robert was introduced to Murray by a woman the priest was counseling.
