Investigators believe that Robert was killed sometime between 8 and 11 p.m. April 10 in Georgia, St. Johns County Sheriff David Shoar said Monday night.
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Murray was arrested April 13 and returned to St. Augustine two days later on charges of fleeing and attempting to elude law enforcement officers and on being a fugitive.
“I have mental problems, and I lost control of myself and I apologize”, Murray told a reporter.
Robert had dedicated his life to working with prisoners and society’s downtrodden, a calling that police say put him in contact with his killer.
Murray was charged with the murder of Robert Wednesday, when Murray also had his first appearance at Burke County Superior Court and was denied bond, Dutton said.
Monday authorities said Murray led them to the body about a half-mile into some woods in a rural area of Burke County about a mile south of Augusta.
Robert was reported missing April 12, and Murray was identified the next day as a person of interest in his disappearance, Mulligan told ABC News today.
In video aired by local TV stations, 28-year-old Steve James Murray said on Wednesday that he is “very sorry” and that if people love the Rev. Rene Wayne Robert, they will forgive him.
Authorities said Murray killed Robert, 71, on April 10 and dumped his body in a remote area in Waynesboro, Georgia. Shoar, who considers Robert as a good friend, became emotional as he called the homicide investigation of the priest the “most intense” in his police career.
Murray has been arrested numerous times since 2005 on charges including larceny, violation of probation and unlawful possession of a firearm.
Robert was a senior priest for the Diocese of St. Augustine.
The suspect was released from the Duval County Jail in Jacksonville earlier this month following a March 22 arrest for operating a vehicle with a suspended license. Because of the condition of the body, dental records will be needed to confirm the identity.
Sheriff Shoar, who had a personal relationship with the priest, said this is the most intense case he’s worked in 35 years. On Facebook, Shoar wrote: “Laura and I have known Father Rene since he arrived here….”
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“My brother died doing what he loved: helping people”, Debbie Bedard, Father Robert’s sister, told Action News Jacksonville.
