Charges in Teen 1996 Murder
It is good news when a cold case murder results in a arrest and charges, we can only hope that more cold cases are reviewed and solved. The murder of Nia Aisha Owens,14, like other unsolved cold cases need review. People who know of something should come forward to help bring some clousurer to the families, friends of those whose life has been cut short by murder. A Glenarden man has been arrested in the slaying of a teenage girl who
disappeared 13 years ago on her way to school in Prince George’s county, police said yesterday. Matthew L. Bethea, 32, who was arrested Tuesday night, faces charges of first- degree murder and first-degree assult in the death of Nia Aisha Owens, 14. Bethea was 19 at the time of the killing.
Nia was last seen alive Nov. 19, 1996, on Belcrest Road in the Hyattsville area. she had taken Metro from her mother’s home in Northeast Washington to the Prince George’s Plaza station and was walking the half-mile to school. Her body was discovered the next morning in a wooded area near the school.
Police said for the first time yesterday that Nia was sexually assaulted. DNA samples collected from Bethea in 2005 matched evidence from the crime scene, police said. A second person, whose identity is not known, is thought to have participated in the attack, police said.
Since 2005, investigators have sought additional evidence, according to law enforcement sources, speaking on condition of anonymity because the case remains open. The arrest was the cold-case squad’s first since Chief Robert L. Hylton reestablished it this year.
By Aaron C. Davis
Washington Post Staff Writer, Thurdsday, May 21, 2009. staff researcher Meg Smith contributed to this report.
Shot to death in the 2600 blk. of 13th St., NW
Shot to death in the 1900 blk. of Naylor Road, SE
May 23rd, 2009 at 8:35 am
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May 24th, 2009 at 11:39 am
I am sooooo glad that this case is solved! I was a junior at the time of this murder and it was horrible. Its not like most people seeing her picture and not knowing her but, I knew her, went to school with her everyday, shared lunch with her, etc….and it gives NO ONE the right to kill her, she was only 14 yrs old. She didnt even begin to realize what life was all about. As I read more and more into the case, its a shame. He was arrested on similar crimes as this. I hope he gets life in prison! I dont wish death of anyone but you need to sit in a jail cell and realize how many lives you have affected let alone the life that you took away! Not only did you kill her but you sexually assulted her! JUST SICK..Rest In Peace NIA