Burglary suspect faces first-degree murder charge in Orlando woman's stabbing death

ORLANDO, Fla. — A man is facing a charge of first-degree murder in connection with the death of a woman found dead in her home after it had been broken into.

Three days ago, Jason Rohrer, 40, was found by police inside the Orlando home of Linda Jones, 67, after she had been killed, police said.

“Our officers and deputies confronted the suspect in the house on Orange Peel Court (and) were able to arrest him after a struggle,” said Orlando police Chief John Mina.

Deputies said they started tracking Rohrer after he was spotted breaking into several cars near the 1300 block of Bumby Avenue.

According to an arrest report, Rohrer was in the process of breaking into a truck when he was confronted by witnesses next door. After a brief altercation, Rohrer ran away as witnesses called 911.

“We received calls that while they were tracking him, trying to find him, that a couple houses may have been broken into, or the person was trying to get into those houses,” said Mina.

Mina said dispatch also received calls of a woman screaming inside one of the homes that morning.

Jones was found with several stab wounds on her throat, police said.

Rohrer was initially being held on burglary charges, but on Wednesday, police secured a warrant against Rohrer for first-degree murder and armed residential burglary.

Rohrer is being held in jail without bond.

Cox Media Group