On the afternoon of March 1, 2018 Alvin B. Keyser, 23, of Topping, was charged with the first-degree murder of TerryLynn St. John and concealing her body, reported Major Michael Sampson of the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office.
According to Major Sampson, on March 1, about 9 a.m., an unidentified body was found by Middlesex detectives in the Wake area. Shortly afterwards, Keyser, 23, was in custody. Detectives continued working on the case, and about 11:35 a.m. the body was positively identified as 23-year-old TerryLynn St. John of Wake.
Major Sampson explained that Keyser was questioned by detectives in reference to evidence and particular details of the crime scene. Keyser stated to detectives he confronted St. John at her residence on February 28 about statements she made about Keyser.
There was evidence of a struggle in St. John’s driveway.
While Keyser and St. John were in a van that he had driven to her house, Keyser said she struck him and he struck her. Keyser then pushed her out of the van he was driving. Keyser further stated after he pushed her out of the van he went around the van and hit St. John and then strangled her “until she stopped breathing.” Keyser then stated he loaded her in the van and put her body in the woods, which is about a mile from her residence. Keyser also admitted that certain items found at the original crime scene were his.
Keyser has been charged in Middlesex with first degree murder, a class 2 felony, and with concealing or altering a dead body, which is a class 6 felony. Keyser is being held without bond at the Middle Peninsula Regional Security Center in Saluda. His first appearance in court is set for Monday, March 5.
Major Sampson noted detectives worked through the early morning hours for two consecutive day in reference to the missing persons report of St. John.
