UPDATE: Marlaena Rochelle Bethea Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Killing Her Brother

Marlaena Rochelle Bethea

UPDATE: Leonardtown, MD – On  February 13, 2020, Defendant Marlaena Rochelle Bethea (D.O.B. 06/05/1973) was convicted of voluntary manslaughter and was sentenced to the maximum penalty of ten (10) years in prison for her involvement with the killing of her brother.

State’s Attorney Richard Fritz prosecuted the case and would like to thank the members of the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Department for the successful investigation of the case.

UPDATE: Leonardtown, MD – November 26, 2019 – Defendant Marlaena Rochelle Bethea, 46  was ordered to be held without bond for a first degree murder case pending against her. State’s Attorney Richard Fritz and Senior Assistant State’s Attorney Jaymi Sterling are prosecuting this case.

UPDATE:  May 26, 2019 @ 8:50 a.m. –  The man reported to have been stabbed with screwdriver was stabbed with knife. The SMCSO explained to TheBayNet.com that there was confusion at the scene and after investigation it was determined he was stabbed with a knife.

Chaptico, MD — On May 26, 2019, at approximately 11:20 p.m. deputies from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 35800 block of Bay Drive in Chaptico, for the reported stabbing. 

Responding officers located the victim, later identified as Michael Ross Bethea, age 47 of Washington, D.C. suffering from a stab wound. Lifesaving measures were attempted by responding officers and emergency personnel. However, Bethea was pronounced deceased on the scene. Detectives from the Criminal Investigations Division responded to the scene and continued the investigation.

Preliminary investigation determined the victim was involved in a family dispute, and was subsequently stabbed outside the residence. The circumstances surrounding the incident are still under investigation. Anyone with information on this incident is asked to contact Detective Skyler LeFave at (301) 475-4200 extension *1983 or by email at Skyler.LeFave@stmarysmd.com.

Citizens may remain anonymous and contact Crime Solvers at (301) 475-3333, or text a tip to “TIP239” plus their message to “CRIMES” (274637). Through the Crime Solvers Program tipsters are eligible for an award of up to $1,000 for information about a crime in St. Mary’s County that leads to an arrest or indictment.