MARYLAND HEIGHTS, MO (KMOX) - It was the tragic end 39-year old Jacque Mitchell's family had feared.
The search ended Monday for Jacque after she was found dead in a Maryland Heights apartment and authorities say the suspect, 49-year old Joseph DeJoie, V, has admitted to the killing and is now facing several charges.
Maryland Heights Police Chief Bill Carson said in a Tuesday afternoon press conference that Jacque had been dead for six days when they found her in DeJoie's apartment in the 2200 block of Palestra. Carson says police believe she died at that apartment and remained there until she was found. Carson says Jacque Mitchell was acquainted with her alleged killer. "When Jacque left Maggie O'Brien's (Sunset Hills) she did go to the suspect's apartment."
The probable cause statement also says Jacque and DeJoie exchanged text messages on the night she disappeared. It also says that DeJoie admitted to wiping Jacque's body and her car clean for evidence and to driving her car after she was deceased. And when detectives asked DeJoie if he was responsible for her death, he acknowledged he was.
As of this writing police did not release a motive for the killing.
The Medical Examiner is waiting for toxicology results before making a final conclusion on how Mitchell died.
DeJoie has a previous criminal record that includes Felonious Restraint, Rape, Burglary 1st Degree, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
DeJoie is charged with Second Degree Murder, Tampering with Physical Evidence, and Abandonment of a Corpse. He's being held on a one-million dollar cash only bond.
The St. Louis County Prosecutor's office did not provide a booking photo of DeJoie.
