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Woman found dead in Maryland woods. 10 months later, police arrested her suspected killer.

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Source: Nassau County Sheriff; MEGA

Apr. 15 2021, Published 4:18 p.m. ET

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A woman was found dead in an area known for “loitering, drugs and alcohol” over the summer. More than six months later, police say they have arrested her murderer. 

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On July 29, police from Frederick, Maryland, were patrolling an area near the Frederick Towne Mall. The woods are known to house vagrants and drug issues, according to police. As officers checked the woods, they found a dead woman. 

The woman was identified as Kelly Nicole Serra, 37. Her death was ruled a homicide. 

Police investigated for months, and this week announced they arrested her suspected killer in New York. 

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Santos Margarito Turcios Benitez, 45, of Hempstead, New York,  now faces charges in connection to her murder. His arrest involved several different police agencies from multiple states. 

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Police have not said the connection between the suspect and the victim. They also didn’t say how the New York man killed the 37-year-old. 

Turcios Benitez is being held in Nassau County jail as he awaits extradition to Maryland. 

The police continue to investigate the homicide and ask anyone with information to contact detectives at (301) 600-2100.

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