Suspect formally charged in Atlanta woman's murder on Caribbean beach
ATLANTA - Police have formally charged a man in connection with the death of an Atlanta physician's assistant at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta's Scottish Rite campus who was murdered while vacationing in Grenada over the weekend.
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Dave Martin Benjamin, 27, was covering a portion of his face as police walked him into court on Wednesday. Benjamin is facing a capital murder charge in the death of 39-year-old Jessica Colker. MTV News Grenada, a local news station, shared with FOX 5 News video of Benjamin being escorted into court.
Jessica Colker, 39, was attacked on a beach in St. David Sunday afternoon. According to the Royal Grenada Police Force, Colker was with her husband at the time of the attack. Following the attack, Colker disappeared. Her body was later discovered just off the beach in nearby undergrowth.
An autopsy revealed Colker had extensive skull fracture and asphyxia. Royal Grenada Police Force said Wednesday that she had been sexually assaulted.
The State Department confirmed Wednesday afternoon the U.S. Embassy in Grenada is assisting Colker's husband in bringing her body to the States.
While new details emerged in the case, still no word from authorities on a possible motive.
Benjamin didn't enter a plea in court Wednesday and will remains in custody until his next court hearing. He could get the death penalty if convicted.
While new details emerged in the case, still no word from authorities on a possible motive.
Benjamin had just recently been released from prison after serving time for sexually assaulting a juvenile.
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Colker worked at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta's Scottish Rite campus. They released a statement Monday night saying:
"Jessica was a valued member of our Children's team. We are deeply saddened by this horrific news. Our thoughts and prayers go out to her family during this very difficult time."
On Tuesday, CHOA shared an emotional picture on Facebook which many people have commented on to offer their condolences.
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Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and the State Department both declined further comment on the murder Wednesday.
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Dance Friends Remember and Honor "Jess"
Colker along with two friends started a dance group who would get together every Tuesday night in Candler Park at First Existentialist Congregation of Atlanta. Tuesday night, the group of about 50 dedicated their dance to Colker.
"There is going to be sadness and grief of course and also joy and celebration and possibly some anger too," said Julie Stuart, who met Colker through dance. "We will be able to hold all of those emotions and let people express them in a safe beautiful way," said Stuart.
Friends said the woman they called "Jess" started the dance group about a month ago and that she even met her husband, Brian Melito, at a dance retreat in Costa Rica.
"She was sweet, so sweet and so kind," said Azi Amanzadeh, who met Colker about two years ago.
"I loved watching her smile, loved watching her dance because she would just let herself go in dance," said Stuart.
Friends said Colker had finalized the details for a Valentine's Day fundraising dance she was organizing before leaving on her trip to Grenada. They said she was hoping to raise money for the Syrian refugee community in Atlanta.
"I will always remember her face and the way she used to smile," said Stuart. "She would break into this smile that would just light up a room."