Body of Florida high school girl found along river, suspect arrested: report

The body of an 18-year-old Florida girl was found alongside the Trout River and now police say a 19-year-old man was arrested in connection to the high schooler’s murder.

On Jan. 7, officers said a body was found along the Trout River in Jacksonville, Florida, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office said.

Officials said family members confirmed the body was Santeria Williams, a senior at Ribault High School who turned 18 in November.

Williams’ mother talked with authorities and said Santeria went to bed in their home at Calloway Cove Apartments around 9 p.m. on Jan. 4.

When she woke up the next morning, Santeria was gone, according to authorities.

The mother started making some phone calls and had a conversation with a friend of Santeria’s, who said she was hanging out with friends and was fine.

However, the mother kept calling Santeria, but the calls would just go to voicemail.

On Feb. 14, detectives said they identified 19-year-old Jeffery Antione Edwards as a suspect in the murder and arrested him.

Deborah Caul, Santeria’s grandmother, spoke with News4JAX and said, “The investigation paid off, and I’m glad they did what they needed to charge him with her murder.”

Caul added that Santeria and Edwards were acquainted with one another, “I don’t know what their relationship was. I know she knew him through school,” News4JAX stated.

On Jan. 12, Edwards was arrested on charges of attempted murder and armed robbery, but the murder charge was added on Feb. 14, officials said.

He is scheduled to be in court again on Feb. 17.