GREEN COVE SPRINGS – A month-long investigation ended today with a murder charge for a Keystone Heights man.
The Clay County Sheriff’s Office announced that Joe Arthur Turner, 27, of Keystone …
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GREEN COVE SPRINGS – A month-long investigation ended today with a murder and sexual battery charge for a Keystone Heights man.
The Clay County Sheriff’s Office announced that Joe Arthur Turner, 27, of Keystone Heights faces one count of murder in the death of Jordan Cooper, a woman with intellectual disabilities who went missing around Thanksgiving and was later found in the attic of her parents’ home on Dec. 11.
In a prepared statement, CCSO officials said Turner was arrested on a charge of burglary involving a case completely unrelated to Cooper. Jail records show he was booked into the Clay County Jail on Dec. 28 on one count each of burglary, grand theft valued between $300 and 4,999.
“Evidence obtained during that investigation subsequently linked Joe Arthur Turner to Jordan Cooper’s murder, sexual assault and the burglary of her residence,” states the CCSO press release dated Jan. 19.
Sheriff’s Office officials said they could not release information Turner’s burglary charge at the time of making the murder charge announcement.
“Preserving case integrity was no easy task, but we were awaiting on evidence confirmation from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement,” the press release states.
CCSO officials said they are thankful for everyone who assisted in the Cooper investigation.
“Federal, state and local law enforcement, along with the entire community, worked tirelessly during this troublesome time,” the release states. “Case integrity is of paramount importance, especially considering the case closure does not stop here, but rather once the judicial process has been completed.”
Cooper’s body was positively identified by the Duval County Medical Examiner’s Office. Sheriff Darryl Daniels said Dec. 9 that foul play was suspected in Cooper’s death, but did not comment further other than to say the case is an ongoing investigation.
At the time of publication, Turner remain in the jail where he is being held without bond.