Ex-boyfriend arrested after model's body found near highway
Police officers were able to track down a Texas man after his details were found on a note in the 47-year-old’s pocket
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A Texas man has been arrested for the murder of a model whose body was found near an interstate highway at the weekend, authorities have said.
Officers arrested Tracy Ray Rollins Jr, a 28-year-old truck driver and allegedly the former boyfriend of fashion model Rebecca Landrith, in Connecticut on Wednesday, PennLive reported.
An arrest affidavit seen by PennLive said officers charged Rollins Jr, from Dallas, Texas, with homicide and abuse of a corpse.
The body of the 47-year-old was found by a Pennsylvania Department of Transportation employee on Sunday morning by an interstate interchange, headed eastbound.
18 gunshot wounds were found on her head, neck and throat, according to the arrest affidavit.
Landrith worked in New York City as a fashion model, and was a finalist for beauty contests including “Miss Manhattan” and “America’s It Girl Miss Lady Liberty”, according to her own website.
County District Attorney D. Peter Johnson said “It took old-fashioned police work” to carry out the arrest, which came after officers found a note with Rollins Jr’s name and contact details in Landrith’s jacket pocket, PennLive reported.
Officers reportedly used the information to trace Rollins Jr’s travel between Wisconsin and Maine on Saturday, before travelling on to Connecticut on Wednesday, when he was arrested.
According to the arrest affidavit, he claimed to have not known Landrith, and had been travelling with a woman named “Leslie” who he met at a truck stop in Connecticut.
PennLive reported that Landrith had previously made hotel reservations with the name “Leslie”.
The model’s brother, George Landrith, told PennLive that her family were “relieved”, although “It doesn’t ease the sense of loss.”
“Her family loved her dearly,” he added. “None of this brings her back. It is important she receives justice.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments