Philadelphia

Police Question Handyman as Person of Interest in Murder of Drexel University Graduate

A person of interest is in custody in connection to the murder of a Drexel University graduate. 

A handyman who had access to the victim's home was questioned by police as they continue to investigate the death of 27-year-old Jasmine Wright, sources said. 

A property manager found Wright dead in her third-floor apartment on 50th Street near Locust shortly after 3 p.m. Thursday, authorities said. He alerted police, and medics pronounced the young woman dead about 3:30 p.m. Wright's family had contacted the property manager to check on her when they became worried about her.

A key detail in the early investigation into Wright's death emerged as investigators combed her home for evidence: There were no signs of forced entry into her apartment, and the place was not ransacked.

Wright's death left her neighbors in West Philadelphia, who said she was a well-liked young professional, stunned.

"It's hurt me just to know that it's right next door," neighbor Keith Hooks told NBC10. "And to happen to that person who didn't bother a soul."

Detectives held the woman's apartment as a crime scene Friday and towed her car to collect DNA samples and any other evidence.

Police are currently interviewing a maintenance worker who knew Wright and had access to her apartment building. While they say he is a person of interest he is not a suspect in the murder. The worker's brother Harry Harris told NBC10 he was also taken in for questioning Friday night. 

"They said, 'Could ya'll take a ride downtown with us for a statement? We said 'sure,'" Harris said. 

While Harris is back home his brother is still being interviewed. Harris told NBC10 his brother quit his job two weeks ago however. 

"My brother stopped working the first of July," he said. "He gave back the keys and everything else."

Police continue to investigate. 

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