A Lake County man is under arrest charged with the murder of a Brevard County woman whose body was found in the Indian River.
Lance Berning, 44, has been arrested and charged with first-degree premeditated murder.
The body of 24-year-old Jennifer Hedges of Titusville was found Oct. 9 by a man who was placing a kayak in the Indian River off Riveredge Drive, about a mile East of the entrance to the Space Center Executive Airport.
An autopsy conducted by the Brevard County Medical Examiner determined that Hedges was beaten and then dumped in the Indian River.
The Brevard County Sheriff's Office said information was provided by the Lake County Sheriff’s Office that identified Berning along with specific information about the crime scene and evidence that had not been released by law enforcement.
Investigators said Berning, who previously lived in Titusville, traveled to Brevard County where he picked up the victim on the street in Titusville and drove to a remote area where the two engaged in a sexual relationship. Deputies said the encounter turned violent and Berning killed Hedges and then drove to a location south of Titusville along the Indian River and dumped her body in the river.
A vehicle belonging to Berning is being transported back to Brevard County for processing by the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Unit.
Berning was taken to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office where he is being held without bond pending extradition to Brevard County.
Anyone with information is asked to call CrimeLine at 800-423-TIPS (8477). All calls to CrimeLine are confidential, and callers can remain anonymous and be eligible for a reward for information leading to an arrest.