U.S. marshals arrest third suspect in Bradenton double homicide in St. Petersburg

BRADENTON -- The third suspect in the fatal shootings of a couple in their Bradenton home has been arrested, according to the Bradenton Police Department.

At about 1:20 p.m. Tuesday, Terez Jones, 33, was arrested without incident in St. Petersburg, according to Bradenton police spokesman Lt. James Racky.

The U.S. Marshals Service made the arrest with the assistance of several law enforcement agencies.

Two other suspects, Trey Nonnombre, 18, and Jimmie Lee Mcnear, 18, were arrested early Monday. They are being held without bond on charges of second-degree murder and attempted home invasion.

At 3:51 a.m. Thursday, police responded to the 3900 block of Southern Parkway West when a home security alarm system was triggered by a break-in. Police found Esther Deneus and her boyfriend, Kantral Markeith Brooks, both 29, shot to death in their home across the street from Prine Elementary School.

Police said five children between the ages of 1 and 11 were in the living room when law enforcement arrived, not far from their mother's body.

Two witnesses came forward after the shootings and identified the three suspects, according to arrest warrants for Mcnear and Nonnombre.

Police said Jones, released from jail July 6 after posting bond on drug and other charges, faces identical murder and home invasion charges.

Deneus' sister, Yolanda Deneus Robinson, said she heard the news of Jones' arrest shortly after it was made.

"It's not going to bring my sister back, but it does provide a little relief," she said. "At the end of the day, I would

still like to know why. I would love to know why?"

Bradenton police Chief Michael Radzilowski credited the arrest to the teamwork of the Manatee County Homicide Investigative Unit and the U.S. Marshals Service.

"All in the community can rest easier now that this criminal is off the street and in jail," he said.

Jones was booked into the Pinellas County jail about 3:40 p.m. Tuesday where he will be held before being transferred to Manatee County jail. Racky said they are hoping to have him transferred by the end of the week.

Jones was released from a Florida prison Feb. 27 after serving more than 13 years of a 15-year sentence for a conviction of sexual battery on a victim under the age of 16.

Initially, Jones had been sentenced to 11 months and 29 days in the county jail to be followed by five years probation and mandatory psychological counseling. In February 2001, however, Jones was arrested for armed home invasion and resisting arrest, a violation of his probation.

Jones was later found not guilty for the armed home invasion but was guilty of violating probation, resulting in the 15-year sentence.

Most recently, Jones was arrested July 3 and charged with possession with intent to sell heroin and cocaine, tampering with evidence, attempted escape and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was released from the Manatee County jail on bonds totaling $18,000 just three days before the shooting deaths of Deneus and Brooks.

Lori Barnes, owner and president Suncoast College of Health in Bradenton, where Deneus was a registered nursing student, set up a GoFundMe account after the shootings to help raise money for the couple's burial and help their children. As of 5:25 p.m. Tuesday, the fund has raised $5,900 of its $10,000 goal.

Barnes met with family members of the victims Tuesday after having legal documents drawn up to disperse the money. She said the account would be closed Tuesday evening and since the goal was not reached, the money would be used to pay for the funerals.

A second GoFundMe account has now been set up to raise money for the five children. To donate, go to gofundme.com/z687h8.

Anyone with information about the homicides can call Bradenton police detectives Jeff Beckley at 941-932-9356 or James Curulla at 941-747-3011, ext. 2224, or to remain anonymous and be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000 by calling Crime Stoppers at 866-634-8477 or send an anonymous e-tip through the web.

Kate Irby, Herald online/political reporter, contributed to this story.

Jessica De Leon, Herald law enforcement reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7049. You can follow her on Twitter @JDeLeon1012.

This story was originally published July 15, 2015 at 12:00 AM with the headline "U.S. marshals arrest third suspect in Bradenton double homicide in St. Petersburg."