Double-murder suspect caught in Lake Worth
Marshals arrest Joseph one day after his mother urged him to surrender.
WEST PALM BEACH — The man West Palm Beach police suspect killed a mother and daughter this past week is in custody after spending more than four days on the run, the U.S. Marshals Service and West Palm Beach police confirmed at midday Tuesday.
Marshals arrested Marlin Larice Joseph at about 11:15 a.m. in a Lake Worth apartment complex at 1531 S. Federal Highway, spokesman Manny Puri said. He did not immediately elaborate.
Joseph’s mother had made a public plea for him to turn himself in Monday.
Police spokesman David Lefont would say only that “investigative leads” led authorities to Joseph, who is accused of
shooting Kaladaa Crowell, 36, and Kyra Inglett, 11, to death Thursday night outside their home on Third Street just west of the downtown area. He said police plan to file murder charges in both cases.
Joseph did not resist arrest, Lefont said.
“He is being interviewed by detectives and will be transported to the Palm Beach County Jail later this afternoon,” Lefont said. “We also notified Kaladaa Crowell’s immediate family and continue to express our sincere condolences to them and everyone affected by this tragic event.”
The Marshals Service had posted images of Joseph’s tattoo-filled face earlier, hoping they would lead them to the 26-year-old man whom police had sought since the 7 p.m. Thursday shooting at the Third Street home, which Joseph’s mother, Robin Denson, shared with Crowell.
Joseph was last seen at 5:37 a.m. Friday withdrawing money from a bank near Military Trail and Community Drive in suburban West Palm Beach. Police describe him as 5 feet 10 inches and 180 pounds. He also has multiple tattoos on his face, including a cross between the eyes.
Crowell died at the scene. Inglett died overnight at St. Mary’s Medical Center.
On Monday, Denson stood in front of cameras at West Palm Beach police headquarters and begged her son to turn himself in. “Marlin, son, I love you,” she said. “You know I love you, but please, turn yourself in. If you’re scared to do so, call me.”
Police said they believe he fled in Crowell’s 2012 gray Toyota Camry. The four-door vehicle has a Bethune-Cookman University tag, with the license plate number BAOMJ. Authorities released no details about the car Tuesday.
Puri, an assistant chief of the U.S. Marshal Service, said the city had offered a $5,000 reward for any tip that led to Joseph’s arrest.