Three months after the disappearance and murder of 29-year-old Emmishae Kirby, police have arrested and charged a suspect with her death.
Javon Gilbert, 30, Kirby’s ex-boyfriend, was charged with murder and tampering with evidence.
On September 18, 2020, Kirby went missing. After a long search, police located her body on Oct.3, in Houston’s Bear Creek Park area. Authorities say that she had been strangled and shot in the head.
During a probable cause hearing, prosecutors revealed that Kirby was living with Gilbert shortly before her death. They reportedly broke up after she accused him of sexually assaulting her.
Witnesses informed authorities that Gilbert moved out of their joint apartment. He later returned, broke into the apartment, and stood over Kirby’s bed with a knife in his hand.
Prosecutors say Gilbert may several unannounced visits to the apartment.
Thirteen days before she vanished, Kirby allegedly texted Gilbert, telling him that she didn’t feel safe, People reports. He responded by saying that he would not hurt her.
He quickly became a suspect after Kirby’s disappearance.
In a press release to KHOU-TV, Houston police stated, “Further investigation and evidence obtained by detectives indicated Gilbert was with Kirby on the night of her death and determined he was responsible for her disappearance and death.”
Surveillance footage from Kirby’s apartment complex showed the 29-year-old resident getting into her car with Gilbert. After they went to a restaurant and gas station, they returned to the apartment.
Authorities believe that Gilbert killed Kirby inside the apartment after video footage showed him carrying a heavy object, allegedly Kirby’s body, to her car after 1 a.m. on September 19, reports continued.
He left the apartment, then returned an hour later.
When Gilbert went back inside the apartment, footage showed him making several trips to the complex’s doomster, throwing away several items.
He remains in custody on a total of $300,000 bail for both charges. He has yet to enter a plea.
