TITUSVILLE, Fla. – Days after a missing Titusville woman’s remains were found, the man accused of stealing her vehicle now faces murder charges in her death, police announced on Monday.
Titusville police said 35-year-old David Armstrong Barber, who was already in the Brevard County jail, faces a first-degree murder charge in the death of 72-year-old Jessie Kirk.
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Kirk was reported missing on March 4 under “highly suspicious” circumstances, according to officials.
Barber, a former Brevard County corrections deputy, was arrested on charges of loitering and grand theft auto after investigators said they found him lurking near Kirk’s condo with first- and second-degree burns on his arms.
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Around the same time, Kirk’s vehicle was located “burned up” near State Road 50 and State Road 520 in Orange County.
Remains later identified as Kirk’s were found the same day just south of Haulover Canal and Courtenay Parkway.
“Jessie was a long-time resident of Titusville and North Brevard. She was a kind individual and had a gift to connect to anyone and everyone she met,” said Titusville Police Commander Tyler Wright. “She was known to always be there for anyone and help, regardless of the situation.”
In addition to the murder charge, Titusville police said Barber also faces charges of arson, burglary of an occupied structure, abuse of a dead human body, theft and tampering with evidence.
News 6 also uncovered that Barber is also under a restraining order for allegedly stalking Kirk’s niece last year, court records show.
He previously dated Kirk’s niece and is currently facing separate criminal charges for allegedly attempting to burglarize the ex-girlfriend’s former home, according
News 6 is not identifying Barber’s ex-girlfriend by name since she claims to be a victim of stalking and revenge porn.
According to a petition filed in Orange County Circuit Court, the woman said she moved out of the Brevard County apartment she shared with Barber in June and ended their three-year relationship because he was posting sexually explicit photos of her on a pornographic website without consent.
Investigators encourage anyone with additional information related to this case to come forward. Tips can be submitted to 321-567-3900 or by contacting Crime Line at 1-800-423-TIPS