ST. LUCIE COUNTY – A second person was arrested on June 9 in connection with the homicide of a homeless man on May 26, according to St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office Facebook posting.
Christina Rose Miller, 46, a homeless resident of Fort Pierce, was taken into custody in Stuart on June 9 at about 8:30 a.m. by members of the U.S. Marshals Task Force in connection with the May 25 death of Carl Leonard Smith, 63, a homeless resident in Fort Pierce.
On May 25 at about 10:20 a.m., deputies went to the 2600 block of Rolyat Street, Fort Pierce in reference to a deceased man discovered inside a tent encampment.
The death was ruled a homicide by the St. Lucie County Medical Examiner’s Office on May 26.
Detectives with the sheriff’s criminal investigations division subsequently identified Zachary Ryan Edwards, 30, as the primary suspect.
Edwards was arrested on May 29, charged with first-degree murder and fraudulent use of an EBT card. He was in the St. Lucie County Jail as of June 9 on no bond for the murder charge and a $10,000 bond for the fraud charge, according to jail records.
As the investigation continued, deputies developed probable cause to arrest Miller for her involvement in the case.
She was taken into custody without incident and charged with accessory after the fact and tampering with evidence, according to the Facebook posting. She was in the St. Lucie County Jail on a $250,000 bond total for both charges.
“The arrest of a second individual in this case reflects the dedication and relentless work of our investigators and law enforcement partners,” said Sheriff Richard Del Toro. “I commend the members of our Criminal Investigations Division for their continued efforts and extend my sincere appreciation to the U.S. Marshals Task Force for their assistance in locating and apprehending Miller. Our thoughts remain with the family and loved ones of Carl Smith, and we will continue pursuing justice on their behalf.”