PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The pediatrician ran some errands, then returned to her downtown Philadelphia rowhouse to meet with an exterminator about a rodent problem.
It was there, police say, that something went "terribly wrong."
Authorities say the exterminator got into an argument with Dr. Melissa Ketunuti, then strangled her, bound her body and set it ablaze in an apparent attempt to get rid of the evidence.
Thirty-six-year-old Jason Smith of Levittown is charged with murder, arson and other offenses. Authorities say he had no prior criminal history other than minor traffic offenses.
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