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Police arrest suspect in killing, burning of Pa. firefighter/EMT

Hazleton City firefighters responded to a mannequin on fire, but it turned out to be Jessica Lockwood’s body wrapped in a tarp

By Ed Lewis
The Times Leader

HAZLETON, Pa. — After a 10-day manhunt, Hazleton homicide suspect Terence Leroy Ray was apprehended by the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force and the Pennsylvania State Police Fugitive Apprehension Unit, Luzerne County District Attorney Sam Sanguedolce confirmed Thursday morning.

Ray, 55, is accused of fatally beating and shooting Jessica Ann Lockwood, 39, at his home at 137 Muir Ave., Hazleton, before dumping her body he set on fire on Club 40 Road in Hazleton on April 27, according to court records.

During a news conference Monday, Sanguedolce announced Lockwood, who had neck surgeries, was purchasing pain medications from Ray.

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Lockwood’s body was found when Hazleton City Firefighters responded to what was believed was a mannequin on fire but turned out to be her body wrapped in a tarp at about 7 a.m. April 27.

An autopsy by forensic pathologist Dr. Charles Seibert revealed Lockwood died from blunt force trauma and a gunshot wound to her chest. The manner of death was ruled a homicide by Luzerne County Acting Coroner Kaitlin Keating.

Investigators with the Hazleton City Police Department , Pennsylvania State Police at Hazleton and county detectives reviewed multiple surveillance camera recordings, following Ray had left his home and was on Club 40 Road minutes before the fire was reported by a passerby, court records say.

Video footage also revealed Ray allegedly moved Lockwood’s vehicle a block from his residence and discarded her cellular phone on State Route 424.

An arrest warrant was issued under seal for Ray on April 29, charging him with criminal homicide, tampering with evidence and abuse of corpse.

Details and location of Ray’s apprehension were not immediately released.

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