News

Actions

20-year-old woman sought in homicide investigation near Loxahatchee

Posted at 5:44 AM, Nov 17, 2016
and last updated 2016-11-19 09:25:02-05

UPDATE: Melanie Eam has been arrested in Maryland and is awaiting extradition to Palm Beach County.

---------

ORIGINAL STORY:

The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office is searching for a 20-year-old woman who is a person of interest after fatal stabbing near Loxahatchee Thursday morning.

PHOTOS: More pictures from the scene

PBSO said the woman, Melanie Eam, is wanted after a homicide occurred Thursday morning near Glasgow Drive and Seminole Pratt Whitney Road.

Deputies said family members arrived at a home and found their loved one, 21-year-old James Barry, dead.

On Barry's Facebook, he lists he worked at Pet Supermarket and went to high school in the area.

Deputies have not said whether anyone else was home with Barry during the stabbing. A man who claims to be a best friend of Barry posted the following statement on Facebook:

"Last night I lost the world's best friend, James Barry, he was the best person I knew, and was and always will be my best friend. He was murdered in his own home. I was forced to watch my best friend pass away in my arms."

Friends of Barry say he and Eam used to date. Deputies say she is not a suspect in the stabbing at this point, but they do want to talk to her.

Eam's father tells WPTV he has not been able to find her.

Eam may be driving a white 2002 Toyota Corolla with Florida tag No. 642-RRC.

“I saw the car that they’re looking for. I’ve never even recognized that car driving down the street before,” said one neighbor.

Anyone with information about Eam's whereabouts should call Crime Stoppers or the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office at 1-800-458-TIPS or 561-688-3000.