Arrest made in murder of Virginia man found dead in Jefferson County

CHARLES TOWN, W.Va. — A Maryland man has been charged with murder in connection to a body found in a Jefferson County field.

Ryan Bretzfelder

Frederick Police (Maryland) arrested Ryan Bretzfelder Monday afternoon on a charge of first degree murder.

On May 2, the body of Devon Wallace, 24 of Alexandria, Va., was found near the 4000 block of Summit Point Road in Jefferson County.

Investigators determined that Wallace was last known to be alive in Frederick. The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office worked alongside Frederick Police starting last week.

Further investigation led investigators to believe Wallace was last seen alive at Bretzfelder’s Wilcox Street residence. During an interview with police, Bretzfelder admitted to killing Wallace in his home.

“The victim resided in the Commonwealth of Virginia, the murder occurred in Frederick, Maryland, and the body of Mr. Wallace was driven to and disposed in West Virginia,” said Jefferson County Sheriff Pete Dougherty. “Without strong coordination and cooperation between multiple law enforcement agencies this case may have gone unsolved.”

Police believe Wallace died from blunt force trauma to the head.

Devon Wallace

Brentzfelder’s preliminary hearing has been scheduled for June 11.





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