Reann Murphy Killing: Jerrod Metsker Held

A neighbour arrested over the killing of a nine-year-old girl whose body was found in a bin is due to appear in court.

Jerrod Metsker, 24, was held on a murder charge early on Sunday afternoon by police investigating the death of Reann Murphy.

Sheriff Travis Hutchinson described Mr Metsker as a family friend and neighbour but would not provide information about how Reann was killed or a possible motive for the crime.

Reann was last seen on Saturday night playing at the mobile home park where she lived in Smithville, around 30 miles southwest of Akron, Ohio.

Police found her body in the trash in a courtyard of the park at around 1.30am on Sunday, some five hours after she was reported missing by her family.

Wayne County Sheriff's Office said Mr Metsker was seen with Reann in the hours before she disappeared.

He is set to appear in the Wayne County Court of Common Pleas on an aggravated murder charge today.

Reann's father Richard Murphy told the Wooster Daily Record: "All she did was love people."

He said he wanted "the worst for the guy" who had killed his daughter.

Wayne County prosecutor Dan Lutz said: "Obviously, all of our thoughts and prayers go to the family. It's a horrific thing to take place at any time but especially before the holidays."

Marilyn Briggs, who lives in a house next to the mobile home park, said she didn't know Reann but was upset by her death.

She said: "It sickens me and I'm so sad for the family, and this close to Christmas. It's just awful. You never think something like that is going to happen in your area."

Ms Briggs said the park was a bit run-down but generally safe and that there had not been any serious crimes in the area in the eight years she had lived there.

The police investigation is continuing.

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