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Philadelphia police sources say that suspect, Jason Smith, 36, of Crescent Lane in Levittown, was charged on Thursday morning in connection with the death of 35-year-old Melissa Ketunuti.
Smith is charged with murder, arson, abuse of a corpse, possession of an instrument of crime and causing/risking a catastrophe.
Investigators are set to release more details at an 11:00 a.m. news conference, which will be live on 6abc.com.
Ketunuti was found strangled, bound and burned inside the basement of her home in Center City on Monday.
Smith was taken into custody around 9:00 p.m. Wednesday.
People in the area were stunned when police showed up as part of the investigation.
"It's crazy because I have four children living here, and it's across the street. It's just sad," said neighbor Meghan Fenstermaker.
Crime Scene investigators examined a silver Ford pickup truck that, police sources say, was caught on several surveillance cameras around Ketunuti's home. One camera was located at a Center City CVS Pharmacy and the other was a camera at a hospital just a half block from the victim's home.
Only Action News was there as police towed the vehicle away from the Levittown home where Smith lives with his girlfriend, children, and his girlfriend's mother.
Fenstermaker tells Action News, "I mean, he's outside always playing with his children. I mean, he doesn't seem like that kind of guy. So, that's why I'm really shocked at what's going on right now, because he does seem like a family man. He doesn't seem like that kind of guy. So, that's why this is very shocking."
Sources tell Action News that Smith could be seen on surveillance video, out of his truck, on foot, following the victim on South Street on Monday. Those sources also said Smith stalked behind Ketunuti all the way to her home on the 1700 block of Naudain Street where, investigators believe, he went inside, tied her up, strangled her with a belt, and then set her on fire.
Police previously said there was no sign of sexual assault.
Sources say Smith left Ketunuti's home after about an hour, after which surveillance cameras captured him circling the victim's home several times.
Sources say it is still unclear how the victim and the suspect know each other, but did say there is crucial evidence inside the truck. Police are also questioning Smith's girlfriend and her mother and say the two are cooperating.
Ketunuti, who lived alone, was a doctor taking part in a pediatric fellowship at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Ketunuti's boyfriend was questioned by investigators on Tuesday morning, but police said he was not a suspect.
Community organizations have raised $35,000 for information leading to an arrest and conviction in the case. On Wednesday, the Citizens Crime Commission added a $15,000 reward to the existing $20,000 reward offered by Philadelphia Police.
The Citizen's Crime Commission reward includes $4,000 posted by Councilman Kenyatta Johnson's Office, $1,000 posted by Parkway Corporation CEO Joseph Zuritski, $1,250 from Larry Collins of Collins' Shop Rite and $1,250 from Jeff Brown of Brown's Shop Rite. In addition, $5,000 is being offered by the University of Pennsylvania and Penn Medicine, and the Children Hospital of Philadelphia has posted $2,500.
As this investigation continues, anyone with information is asked to call Philadelphia Police at 215-686-TIPS (8477), send a text message to PPD TIP (773847) or send a tip through phillypolice.com.
