Authorities arrested a suspect in the death of SU alumna Amanda Strous today.
According to Fox 43, Matthew Thomas Benner, 28, is being charged with the murder of Strous. Based on evidence, authorities identified Benner as the suspect and obtained a warrant for his arrest after immediately requesting assistance from the Violent Criminal Apprehension Team (VCAT).
Benner was found earlier today and arrested in Nevada through a combined effort with the U.S. Marshals Violent Offender Task Force, the Nye County Sheriff’s Office and VCAT, Fox 43 reported. Benner is currently in the custody of the Nye County’s Sheriff’s Office awaiting extradition. Benner will be charged with murder and first-degree arson.
Former Shippensburg University student, athlete and assistant coach Amanda Strous, Class of 2011, died in an apartment fire in Charlotte, North Carolina on June 18.
According to CBS North Carolina, the incident was first reported around 5:30 p.m. in the 12100 block of Toscana Way in a Charlotte apartment complex. Officials said the fire was intentionally set. Strous, 27, was in the apartment at the time of the blaze. Firefighters worked for 15 minutes before pulling Strous out of the burning apartment. She was rushed to Carolinas Medical Center-Steele Creek, but died from her injuries.
Upon release, additional information regarding the death of Strous will be provided at theslateonline.com.
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