Suspected California serial killer faces 4 additional murder charges, bringing count to 7
12/29/2022 12:39 pm PST
STOCKTON, Calif. (TCD) -- A 43-year-old suspected serial killer who was arrested in October is now facing additional charges for allegedly killing several other people.
On Tuesday, Dec. 27, the San Joaquin County District Attorney’s Office announced Wesley Brownlee has been charged with four additional counts of murder and one count of attempted murder. The District Attorney’s Office identified the suspected murder victims as Juan Alexander Vasquez, Mervin Harmon, Paul Yaw, and Salvador Debudey Jr. He also allegedly tried to kill Natasha LaTour.
Vasquez and Harmon were reportedly killed in Alameda County, whereas the other deaths occurred in San Joaquin County.
Upon his arrest in October, Brownlee was charged with three counts of murder, one count of possession of a firearm by a felon, and one count of possession of ammunition by a felon for the deaths of Jonathan Hernandez, Juan Carlos Carranza Cruz, and Lawrence Lopez.
Stockton Police located Brownlee in the early hours of Oct. 15 after a weeks-long search for him. Stockton Police Chief Stanley McFadden said in a statement that detectives "watched his patterns" and found Brownlee while he was "on a mission to kill."
"He was out hunting," McFadden wrote.
Officers stopped Brownlee at approximately 2 a.m., and he was reportedly wearing dark clothing and a mask around his neck and was armed with a gun.
McFadden said he was "sure we stopped another killing."
Brownlee is scheduled to appear in court Jan. 3 for another arraignment.
MORE:
- Additional Charges Announced for Defendant Brownlee, Alleged Stockton Serial Killer - San Joaquin County District Attorney's Office
- Suspected Stockton serial killer arrested while 'out hunting', 10/17/2022 - TCD
- DA Verber Salazar Announces Murder Charges Against Suspected Serial Killer, 10/18/2022 - San Joaquin County District Attorney's Office
- SPD News: Message from Chief Stanley McFadden regarding Homicide Series, 10/15/2022 - Stockton Police Department
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