Husband Charged In Wife's Murder

Cops say Melvin Mejia killed his wife in West Chester, Ohio.


Authorities in West Chester, Ohio, say that Melvin Mejia stabbed and killed his wife, Jackelin Romero, on September 23rd, 2006.

Police discovered Jackelin's body after she was reported missing. Cops did a wellness checkup and found the 24-year-old mother dead in her apartment.

Eyewitnesses told investigators that Mejia came to the apartment on Saturday. Those same witnesses said they heard arguing at around 10 pm. Police say that some time later Mejia killed the mother of his five-year-old daughter. They say she suffered multiple stab wounds and ultimately bled to death.

Cops did a wellness checkup and found the 24-year-old mother dead in her apartment.

Deportation Overlooked

Melvin Mejia is a Honduran national. Cops say he may have fled south in a 1998 Toyota Camry.

The killing followed several police-documented events, including a June 24th domestic disturbance call that landed Mejia in jail for three days. Jackelin was allegedly injured in the thumb and head during a confrontation with her husband.

Cops charged Mejia with domestic violence and issued a temporary protective order designed to keep Mejia away from Jackelin. Additionally, the court forbade him from carrying any deadly weapons. However, when it was time to appear in court, Jackelin was unwilling to testify against her husband.

Police say that at that point Mejia, who is in the United States illegally, should have been deported to his home country of Honduras. But, they say, Mejia slipped through the cracks and Jackelin paid the ultimate price.

Mejia Is Missing And So Is The Camry...

Investigators believe Mejia fled after killing Jackelin on that Saturday, the 23rd of September. They think he may be headed south and specifically could be in Memphis, Tennessee or Biloxi, Mississippi where he has family. Police say Mejia has previously used the alias Antonio Gil and they fear he may be trying that name again or creating a whole new identity.

Cops believe Mejia hit the road in a Toyota Camry they have not recovered. They say the car is a black, 1998 four-door with five-spoked wheels and plastic covering the sunroof. The car has Ohio plates, DKE-8742.

Wanted For
Information valid as of last update.
Murder, West Chester, OH; Sep 23, 2006


http://www.amw.com/fugitives/brief.cfm?id=41050