Police Arrest Second Suspect in Fort Lauderdale Murder: Cops

Nicole Okrzesik was arrested in connection with the murder of Juliana Mensch, officials said

A second suspect in the murder of a New Jersey woman found dead inside a Fort Lauderdale apartment was arrested Thursday, authorities said.

Nicole M. Okrzesik, 22, is being charged with one count of first degree murder, according to the Fort Lauderdale Police Department.

The decomposing body of 19-year-old Juliana Mensch was found on March 31 inside James Ayers’ room at 1102 NW 7th Terrace, authorities said.

Ayers was later arrested without incident and charged with one count of first-degree murder, according to a release.

Authorities said Mensch died after being brutally strangled and was found with a candle and a fan next to her body to air out the odor of decay.

Orkzesik was arrested in Port Saint Lucie and police believe she robbed or tried to rob the victim prior to her murder.

When questioned, Okrzesik told police Ayers jumped on top of the victim as she slept, grabbed her by the neck and choked her until she died early on March 24. He then took several hundred dollars Mensch had inside her bra, the affidavit said.

Phone records between the pair show how they argued about the dead body left in the room and threatened to call the cops on each other, according to the report.

Okzesik remained in jail Friday on no bond. It was not immediately known if she had an attorney.

Ayers’ defense attorney Harry Dohn Williams Jr. said his client remained in Broward County Jail but was being evaluated to determine his competency.

Williams said Ayers had previously been found incompetent to stand trial in another case regarding a felony charge. He said Ayers had been out on pre-trial release and receiving treatment to restore his competency during the incident.

A hearing date for Ayers has not been set.

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