It took a special task force of homicide detectives just over 48 hours to track down exterminator Jason Smith at his home in Levittown.
Several hours later, he was charged with tying up Dr. Melissa Ketunuti in her basement, strangling her and setting her body on fire. Police say he came to her home on a house call to get rid of some rodents.
Once inside, "There was an argument, he knocked her down to the ground, got on top of her, he strangled her," said Captain James Clark of the city's Homicide Unit.
Homicide detectives were lead to Smith by surveillance cameras at a local coffee shop and a nearby hospital. He parked his silver Ford F-150 work truck on 18th Street and got out seconds later, as the 35-year-old doctor walked by headed home to meet her exterminator.
"What we saw was the eventual suspect actually following about 30 seconds behind the decedent down 18th Street and then onto Naudain Street," Clark explained.
"He crossed directly in front of a very powerful camera and looked right up at the camera," said Ori Feibush of the OCF Coffee Shop, who helped download the video that cracked the case. "I don't think anyone could believe what they were looking at there. It was so crystal clear."
Police say Smith confessed, telling them he killed Ketunuti after she bossed him around. He used rope to tie her up and strangle her to death. Crime scene investigators found similar rope in the suspect's Crescent Lane home in Levittown.
As to why he set her on fire: "He was attempting to hide the evidence or whatever, DNA we may or may not be able to get," Clark said.
"I'm relieved," one neighbor told FOX 29 after the arrest.
News that Smith was in custody traveled quickly through the slain doctor's neighborhood a few blocks from Rittenhouse Square. Neighbor Mike Shahade said Smith's capture provided at least some relief.
"I'm very pleased," he said. "We were worried there was an intruder, breaking and entering."
"Somebody shouldn't get away with something that stupid," neighbor Victor Pisani told FOX 29.
"We're absolutely grateful they caught the guy so quickly," Feibush said. "It's insane that something like that could happen over here."
Neighbors and top police commanders praised and thanked the task force of homicide detectives who cracked this case.
Deputy Commissioner Richard Ross said "kudos to those guys, they did a great job."
Tuesday, May 21 2013 6:01 PM EDT2013-05-21 22:01:25 GMT
Police sources say the two incidents now under investigation took place at Houston Hall, a student center and lecture hall, on Spruce Street in the heart of the University of Pennsylvania campus.
Police sources say the two incidents now under investigation took place at Houston Hall, a student center and lecture hall, on Spruce Street in the heart of the University of Pennsylvania campus.
Friday, May 17 2013 6:26 PM EDT2013-05-17 22:26:23 GMT
When SEPTA trains roll into stations in Radnor Township, Main Line passengers aren't the only ones getting on and off. Police say criminals are now using the rails to pull off home burglaries.
When SEPTA trains roll into stations in Radnor Township, Main Line passengers aren't the only ones getting on and off. Police say criminals are now using the rails to pull off home burglaries here and make their getaway.
Wednesday, May 15 2013 7:13 PM EDT2013-05-15 23:13:23 GMT
These Crime Scene Investigators have processed thousands of gruesome crime scenes over their careers, but what they saw inside Doctor Kermit Gosnell's abortion clinic back in 2010 was a nightmare.
These Crime Scene Investigators have processed thousands of gruesome crime scenes over their careers, but what they saw inside Doctor Kermit Gosnell's abortion clinic back in 2010 was a nightmare.
Wednesday, May 15 2013 4:54 PM EDT2013-05-15 20:54:35 GMT
"Kermit Gosnell at some point became a monster." District Attorney Seth Williams shot straight from the hip as he spoke for the first time since abortion doctor Kermit Gosnell was found guilty this
"Kermit Gosnell at some point became a monster." District Attorney Seth Williams shot straight from the hip as he spoke for the first time since abortion doctor Kermit Gosnell was found guilty this
Monday, May 13 2013 7:02 PM EDT2013-05-13 23:02:49 GMT
She wanted to spend Mother's Day with her children and new granddaughter. Instead, she spent it at a hospital and on the couch after she says she was attacked near the Frankford Transportation Center.
She wanted to spend Mother's Day with her children and new granddaughter. Instead, she spent it at a hospital and on the couch after she says she was attacked near the Frankford Transportation Center.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 11:49 PM EDT2013-05-22 03:49:33 GMT
You'll never believe who is dancing circles around these people. Meet the Allentown-area lady with the fancy footwork that leaves her disciples breathless!
You'll never believe who is dancing circles around these people. Meet the Allentown-area lady with the fancy footwork that leaves her disciples breathless!
Tuesday, May 21 2013 11:13 PM EDT2013-05-22 03:13:58 GMT
Helmeted rescue workers raced Tuesday to complete the search for survivors and the dead in the Oklahoma City suburb where a mammoth tornado destroyed countless homes, cleared lots and claimed 24 lives.
Helmeted rescue workers raced Tuesday to complete the search for survivors and the dead in the Oklahoma City suburb where a mammoth tornado destroyed countless homes, cleared lots and claimed 24 lives.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 11:04 PM EDT2013-05-22 03:04:07 GMT
Bucks County EMT Bryan Elwell is heading out to Oklahoma to help assist overwhelmed emergency responders dealing with the deadly tornado aftermath in Moore, just outside Oklahoma City. He's prepared
Two local EMTs are headed to Oklahoma to help victims and crews dealing with the aftermath of a deadly tornado.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 10:08 PM EDT2013-05-22 02:08:36 GMT
Police in Lancaster say they've detained two men in an investigation prompted by a woman's call to 911 from the trunk of a car to report that she had been abducted by strangers.
Police in Lancaster say they've detained two men in an investigation prompted by a woman's call to 911 from the trunk of a car to report that she had been abducted by strangers.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 7:59 PM EDT2013-05-21 23:59:26 GMT
A man was critically injured Tuesday in New Castle by an explosion that happened while he opened an antique army ammunition box he picked up from his neighbors trash.
A man was critically injured Tuesday in New Castle by an explosion that happened while he opened an antique army ammunition box he picked up from his neighbors trash.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 6:01 PM EDT2013-05-21 22:01:25 GMT
Police sources say the two incidents now under investigation took place at Houston Hall, a student center and lecture hall, on Spruce Street in the heart of the University of Pennsylvania campus.
Police sources say the two incidents now under investigation took place at Houston Hall, a student center and lecture hall, on Spruce Street in the heart of the University of Pennsylvania campus.
Dr. Melissa Ketunuti was killed Monday. On Wednesday night, police took Jason Smith into custody at his home in Levittown.
