***MEDIA ADVISORY***

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 14, 2022

SUSPECT ARRESTED IN SATURDAY NIGHT DOUBLE MURDER AT ELKHART BUSINESS

Media Contact: Vicki Elaine Becker (574) 296-1888

The suspect believed to be responsible for the deaths of Haley Smith, 22, and Dustin Carr, 37, of Elkhart, on Saturday night, February 12, 2022, at an Elkhart business was arrested on Sunday, February 13, 2022, by the Elkhart County Homicide Unit. The bodies of Smith and Carr were discovered when another employee arrived for work on Sunday morning. Elkhart Police Department patrol officers immediately responded, and notified the Homicide Unit due to the circumstances. During the investigation, it was discovered that one Jose Benitez-Tilley, Jr., 19, of Goshen, had been inside the business as it was closing, and killed the two victims.

As the investigation is on-going, additional details will not be released at this time. However, it is clear that the killings were targeted at the specific victims and the public is not at risk as Benitez-Tilley remains in custody at this time.

A judicial officer reviewed the facts and circumstances of the arrest at a probable cause hearing this morning, and approved the arrest and continued detention of Benitez-Tilley. Formal charges are anticipated by Wednesday, and an Initial Hearing is scheduled for Thursday, February 17, 2022, at 8:30 a.m., in the Elkhart Circuit Court.

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“Under Indiana law, all persons arrested for a criminal offense are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.”