CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE: When a missing Tennessee woman's body was found near Chattanooga on Thursday, December 1, the heartbreaking nine-day search for her came to an end. Reports say Jasmine Pace's boyfriend Jason Chen has been arrested for the death of the 22-year-old who went missing on November 22, leaving her loved ones to wonder about her last Facebook post.
Hamilton County District Attorney Coty Wamp said that Chen, 22, has been charged with the first-degree murder of Pace. The Chattanooga Police Department confirmed that the remains found along Suck Creek Road Thursday belong to Pace. Officials said the Chattanooga Police Homicide Unit found her body during a search in the 1000 Block of Suck Creek Road.
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According to Local 3, police claimed to have discovered Pace's vehicle, credit cards, and a significant amount of blood traces in Chen's apartment. The affidavit of Chen's arrest claims that the scene indicated there had been a major violent confrontation in the unit prior to cleaning. On November 23, her mother, Catrina Pace, told police that her daughter had shared her mobile phone location with her using a pin drop. The mother and her husband were directed by the location to Chen's apartment, where they spoke with neighbors who claimed to have heard loud noise from the house, People reports.
The absence of Pace at Thanksgiving dinner and her failure to contact her family raised suspicions. According to her mother, her car was discovered at an apartment building miles from Pace's last known whereabouts. As per the court documents, investigators also discovered cleaning materials and glass fragments in Chen's residence.
According to court records, Chen was seen on camera at Walgreens purchasing peroxide, rubbing alcohol, paper towels, and bandages. Police speculated that Pace may have sought solace from him after a death in the family. On Tuesday evening, November 29, Chen was located at his family's residence in Williamson County and transported to the local jail.
Reports say that Pace had been dating Chen for several months. She reportedly met him on an online dating service. On Saturday, November 26, on Pace's Facebook, a single lingerie image along with a few short films was posted. The post's description read: "Enjoying Thanksgiving with my baby!!" Her family questioned whether Pace really posted the personal photo, though.
According to court documents, when Chen was apprehended on Tuesday, detectives used a search warrant to examine his body and found lacerations on his hand and feet. Chen is being held without bond at the Silverdale Detention Center. On December 6, he is due to show up in Hamilton County General Sessions Court.
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