WINTER SPRINGS, Fla.,None — When police began searching for a missing woman early Friday night they made a gruesome discovery in her neighbor's apartment: the 44-year-old woman's body was found inside a large box in the middle of the living room.
Police said 30-year-old Jeffrey Tilton kidnapped, raped and killed Marie M. Alers. Alers lived just a floor above Tilton at the Legends Apartment Homes in Winter Springs.
According to Winter Springs police detectives, the investigation began when Alers' boyfriend, Joel Kean, called 911 to report his girlfriend missing.
He told police he noticed all Tilton's stuff—a gym bag, sunglasses, keys and earrings—strewn about in front of the suspect's unit when he went to pick her up. Police came to the scene and questioned Tilton. Then, they said they saw the victim's body inside a box in his living room.
The arrest report said Tilton grabbed Alers, dragged her into his apartment, raped her and killed her. Police said they never found a murder weapon. They believe he used his hands, feet or fists to kill her, according to the report. Tilton had scratches on his right cheek because of the struggle, police said.
"It makes me not feel as safe as I did. One of the reasons I moved here was to feel safe," said neighbor Jackie Mazurowski.
Kean described his girlfriend as a strong, wonderful person. He said she grew up in Mexico City, Mexico, and still has family there. He had been living at Legends Apartments for a few months, he said.
Tilton, who is engaged to be married, does not have a criminal record. Attempts to reach his fiance by Facebook were unsuccessful.
Police said the relationship between the victim and suspect, if any, is not known.
Tilton is being held at the Seminole County jail on no bond. He confessed to the murder, but gave no reason why he did it, according to police.
WFTV
