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Marlin Joseph: West Palm Beach double murder suspect in custody, US Marshals Service says

Posted at 10:58 AM, Jan 01, 2018
and last updated 2018-01-03 05:15:27-05

UPDATE: Marlin Joseph is in custody, according to the U.S. Marshals Service. He was found at an apartment complex on Federal Highway in Lake Worth.

He had been on the run since Thursday night, when West Palm Police say he shot and killed 36-year-old Kaladaa Crowell and her 11-year-old daughter Kyra Inglett. 

West Palm Beach police and the U.S. marshals had been offering a $5,000 reward for his arrest. Police said no one is eligible for that reward because they did not receive any tips. They say marshals tracked him down using investigative work. Joseph did not turn himself in. 

"With the grace of God, they caught the person who did it," said Patrick James, Crowell's great uncle. Police have not said why Joseph killed the Crowell and her daughter. His mother spoke to media Monday saying only that "she did not know what made him do it."

"Irregardless what the motive were, no one had the rights to take no one's life. Especially a little kid the way he murdered my niece," said James. 

Joseph moved in with the family 10 months ago, after serving time for battery on a child. Joseph's mom had been dating Crowell. 

Police would not say whether anyone else will face charges, for aiding or abetting Joseph while he was on the run. 

Watch below as authorities escort Joseph into the West Palm Beach police station:

EARLIER:

Police and U.S. marshals continue to search for Marlin Joseph, the suspected killer of a West Palm Beach mother and her 11-year-old daughter.

Joseph's mother spoke Monday afternoon and urged him to surrender while authorities also offered a $5,000 reward leading to his arrest.

"Marlin. Son, I love you. You know I love you. Can you please just turn yourself in," said an emotional Robin Denson.

Police say Joseph shot 36-year-old Kaladda Crowell and 11-year-old Kyra InglettThursday night. The shooting occurred on the 800 block of 3rd Street. Marshals say Joseph lived in the home. He moved in about 10 months ago after serving time for battery on a child. 

His mother, Robin Denson was Kaladaa's Crowell's girlfriend. "Kaladaa was the sweetest person, give the shirt off her back to help anybody," said Denson. Denson said she considered Kyra to be her stepdaughter.

Joseph was last seen at 5:37 a.m. Friday withdrawing money from a bank near Military Trail and Community Drive. Police describe him as 5' 10" and 180 pounds. He also has multiple tattoos on his face, including a cross between the eyes.

Denson said she has not had contact with her son, since he left. His mother said if her son was scared to turn himself in he could call her. "I can call the detective I've been working with since day 1. He will bring me to you, Marlin, if you are afraid to come in on your own," Denson said.

She said she hasn't eaten and has barely slept since the ordeal began. Denson added that she would not eat again, until her son turned himself in.

"I mean at the end of the day I love both parties. I love my son but I love Kaladaa and Kyra too. I just want him to turn himself in. I know the family want justice, I want justice.

Police said they believe the shooting stemmed from a domestic dispute. They are still working to determine what might have caused that dispute to escalate. Denson said, "I just don't know what went wrong," when asked about why her son did it.

Joseph took Crowell's vehicle after the murders, according to police. Her car is described as a gray 2012 Toyota Camry with a Florida Bethune-Cookman specialty license plate BA0MJ.

Police investigators currently hold an active arrest warrant for Joseph for two counts of first-degree murder with a firearm. 

The US Marshals warned that the last time Joseph was seen, he had dread locks. He may have changed his appearance. But Joseph has a large tattoo on the right side of his face, as well as a cross tattoo between his eyes.

Marshals, along with the West Palm Beach Police Department, announced a $5,000 reward for his arrest. You can call US Deputy Marshal Suarez directly at 561-628-1541 or Detective Paul Creelman at 561-512-8481.

Anyone with information about the murders or the whereabouts of Marlin Joseph is also urged to call the West Palm Beach Police Department at 561-822-1900.