Melissa Ketunuti Murder: Jason Smith, exterminator, admits to strangling Phila. pediatrician after argument, report says

By: Crimesider Staff
Topics: Daily Blotter

Jason Smith

/ CBS Philly

(CBS) -- Police said an exterminator admitted to strangling a pediatrician at her home in downtown Philadelphia after the two got into a verbal argument, CBS Philly reports.

PICTURES: Phila. doctor found dead, bound and burned

Jason Smith, 36, was charged with murder Thursday morning after being taken into police custody the night before for questioning in 35-year-old Melissa Ketunuti's death, the station reports.

Ketunuti was a second-year infectious diseases fellow and researcher at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Firefighters arrived at her home Monday afternoon and found her body on fire in the basement, with her ankles and wrists bound and a rope around her neck.

Smith was charged with murder, abuse of corpse, arson and risking a catastrophe after allegedly telling investigators he committed the crime because he felt like Ketunuti was "disrespecting" him, according to CBS Philly.

Investigators said Smith arrived for service at Ketunuti's home for a rodent problem, according to the station. Police said the two had a verbal argument in the basement of the home before Smith struck the victim and she fell to the ground. Smith then allegedly strangled Ketunuti with rope before tying her wrists and ankles and setting her body on fire.

Homicide division Capt. James Clark said Smith was spotted on surveillance video after leaving the house and getting into his truck. His pickup truck was later confiscated as part of the investigation.

Clark said Smith lived with his girlfriend in their Levittown, Pa. home and detectives executed a search warrant at the home on Wednesday night.

Complete coverage of the Melissa Ketunuti case on Crimesider

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Phila. doctor found dead, bound and burned

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by justice_ottozhem January 25, 2013 2:38 AM EST: the US needs to be more Harsh when dealing with killers such as this. Vengeance sounds bad but you know what I have read so many injustices in this world. Rapist, killers, child murderers go free. Why? They are not afraid of the law because they know the system has a major loophole. If only the US instills fears in criminals. Torture them, Show the world that is how you are going to be punished if they commit crimes. Sometimes an Eye for an Eye is the only thing to do here in the US. So much senseless murders.; Reply to this comment


by jwilsonte5 January 24, 2013 5:21 PM EST: theis country is unraveling you dont see this much hate in most developed countries .the violence who does this !!!!than they want to say i was crazy but if they were crazy someone would of noticed before your 36 but I am sure he'll get few years at tax payer expense; Reply to this comment