A man from Dexter, Kentucky, is charged with murder in connection with the death of a Murray State University student who has family in Christian County.
Kentucky State Police identified the victim as 21-year-old Sarah Townsend of Farmville, Virginia, who was studying veterinary science at Murray State University. Townsend’s body was located in southern Calloway County on Fox Road near McCuiston Drive around 7:00 Friday morning.
On Friday State Police learned that Murray State Campus Police were asked to conduct a welfare check on a student after she failed to show up for work Friday afternoon. Detectives compared the student profile with the description of the unidentified body and with the help of family were able to identify Townsend.
An autopsy was conducted at the Western Kentucky Medical Examiners Office in Madisonville. State Police say the preliminary autopsy results indicate Townsend died of multiple gunshot wounds.
After state police identified Townsend, they began interviewing friends and relatives which allowed them to determine her last known whereabouts. With the help of intelligence services, state police determined her stolen Toyota Camry had been seen in central Georgia. Once they determined a suspect in the case, State police realized he had ties to Georgia.
At 4:00 Saturday morning State Police located Townsend’s car in Kentucky and arrested 22-year-old Julius Sotomayor at his home in Dexter. Sotomayor was charged with Murder, Theft by Unlawful Taking (Auto), and Tampering with Physical Evidence. He remains lodged in the Calloway County Jail.
