News Releases

Update: Two Suspects Arrested for Red Roof Inn Homicide

For Immediate Release: Wednesday, May 11, 2016

Arbra Arnie Bethea, age 17, of the 4900 block of East Capitol Street, SE in Washington, D.C., and Keith Christopher Renier, age 21, of the 4200 block of Fort Dupont Terrace, SE in Washington, D.C., are in custody on the strength of Montgomery County warrants for the first-degree murder of Keyonna Blakeney.  Bethea has been charged as an adult.  Both suspects are in the custody of the District of Columbia Department of Corrections and are awaiting extradition to Montgomery County.

On Saturday, April 16 at approximately 11:49 a.m., Fire and Rescue personnel and officers from the 1st District and Rockville City Police Department responded to the report of a death at the Rockville Red Roof Inn.  Upon arrival, first responders located the victim deceased in a hotel room.  The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner ruled the death a homicide by multiple sharp force injuries.  The victim was initially identified as Kenneth Anthony Blakeney, age 22.  Detectives learned that the victim identified herself as a transgender female named Keyonna.

Investigation determined that the victim and several acquaintances were renting rooms at the Red Roof Inn to engage in prostitution.  During the early morning hours of Saturday, April 16, there was a confrontation between the two suspects and the victim in her hotel room and the victim was stabbed multiple times.  She succumbed to her injuries in her room.

Detectives developed Bethea and Renier as suspects.  Warrants were issued for Bethea and Renier, charging them with first-degree murder, armed robbery, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, and conspiracy to commit armed robbery.

Yesterday, Montgomery County Police - Repeat Offender Section officers, with the assistance of U.S. Marshals, arrested Bethea and Renier in Washington, D.C.

Due to the ongoing investigation, no additional information will be released regarding this homicide.

*A photo of Bethea will not be released because he is a juvenile.

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Release ID: 16-119
Media Contact: mcpnews 
Categories: homicide