An 18-year-old accused in a homicide at a Cocoa motel has turned himself in to authorities, according to police.
A nationwide search for Joshua Keravouri, 19, of Maryland, began earlier this month after Terry Scott Hilliard, 65, of Ocala, was found dead at the Dixie Motel on Forrest Avenue.
Investigators later found Hillard's vehicle, a black Chevrolet Cruze, abandoned in Hialeah, where they Keravouri was also spotted at a gas station.
#Breaking News: Joshua Keravuori in Custody! The 18 yo suspect wanted by @cocoapolice in connection to the #DixieMotel murder turned himself into authorities in Georgia this morning. #WFTV pic.twitter.com/hjU9kpVrFf
— Melonie Holt (@MHoltWFTV) February 19, 2018
Police said Keravouri was seen checking into the motel with Hilliard, but investigators were unable to identify Keravouri until Friday.
Keravouri turned himself in Monday morning to authorities in Georgia, police said.
“I do believe he was feeling the pressure from all the publicity,” said Detective Ron McCarron of the Cocoa Police Department.
Police said Keravouri told a city bus driver in Alphareytta, Georgia that there was a warrant out for his arrest and he wanted to turn himself in to authorities.
He was taken into custody on a warrant for grand theft auto, but investigators said additional charges are pending.
“We believe that Mr. Keravouri can answer a lot of the questions that need to be answered and quite possibly, may be the only person who can answer them,” said McCarron.
Police believe Keravouri flew to Maryland where his mother lives after being in Hialeah.
“As far as I know, he was at his home with his mother. She had no knowledge about what had happened,” said McCarron.
Investigators said the state attorney’s office has approved Keravouri’s extradition.
Cox Media Group
