A Kentucky mother of three was found dead inside her home, and police say investigators later discovered that her unborn child was missing from her womb.
April Barlow Celio, 41, was found slain at her Pineville residence on Sept. 23. The following day, medical examiners determined that Celio had been pregnant, but that the fetus was no longer present, according to authorities.
Police later returned to the home and recovered what they believe are fetal remains, officials said.
Investigators named DeMarcus Kenneth Johnson-Wright as a suspect. Police described him as a convicted felon with an extensive violent criminal record and several active warrants connected to violent felony cases in Tennessee. Authorities have not disclosed how he may have known Celio or what connected him to the case.
A warrant was first issued for Johnson-Wright on Sept. 25 on allegations of kidnapping and robbery. A second warrant, issued Sept. 30, charged him with murder and tampering with physical evidence.
Authorities eventually located Johnson-Wright at a residence in Clarksville, Tennessee, roughly 250 miles from the Kentucky crime scene.
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He was taken into custody, and police searching the Tennessee home found what they described as materials connected to the investigation. Officials did not provide further details about the items recovered.
Investigators have not said how Celio or her unborn child died. While police have not publicly detailed a connection between the victim and Johnson-Wright, one of the charges against him involves a murder allegation tied to domestic violence.
Court records reviewed by People show that Johnson-Wright was already wanted in connection with several earlier cases, including suspected aggravated robbery, kidnapping, illegal firearm possession and domestic violence.
Celio’s sister, Amanda de Paz, created a GoFundMe campaign to support Celio’s three children, who she said have been left to cope with unanswered questions, memories of their mother and the devastating reality of her violent death.
“She deserved so much more life,” de Paz wrote. She remembered her sister as deeply loving and selfless, saying Celio would do anything for those she cared about and was cherished by her family and everyone who knew her.
Johnson-Wright was booked at the Montgomery County Detention Center in Tennessee and remains there while awaiting extradition to Kentucky. Authorities have not yet released details about the circumstances of Celio’s killing.
