PENSACOLA, FL – A U.S. Marine has been charged with the murder of a 26-year-old escort in Northwest Florida. Willie Ellington, 20, is currently held in Lee County Jail, Alabama, awaiting extradition to Escambia County. Investigators allege the crime was premeditated.
Authorities have unveiled chilling details that paint a picture of a meticulously planned crime. According to Sheriff Chip Simmons, Ellington conducted online searches related to unsolved murders of sex workers prior to meeting the victim, Tasha Bennett.
Bennett was last seen on December 13, at a hotel near Davis Highway, where she was scheduled to meet Ellington. Concern arose when her phone, despite having battery life, was found turned off in her hotel room. Her family and friends reported her missing that Saturday evening.
The investigation quickly took a serious turn when law enforcement discovered the hotel room door ajar, Bennett’s car abandoned in the parking lot, and personal items, including her phone, left behind. Also missing were the bed linens and a gaming console cord found in the room, which further heightened suspicions.
Sheriff Simmons’ team, treating the missing person case as a potential homicide, executed nearly ten search warrants, extending their investigation to Alabama. Their efforts led to the grim discovery of Bennett’s body in a deserted area in Mobile, Alabama, discarded in a ditch.
While the exact cause and time of Bennett’s death remain unknown, Mobile police confirmed the incident occurred in Florida. The motive behind the tragic event is speculated to be linked to Ellington’s disturbing internet searches, which included inquiries about the appearance of a corpse after two days and the likelihood of unsolved murders involving sex workers.
Ellington, an active-duty Marine stationed at NAS Pensacola, was apprehended in Opelika, Alabama, near Auburn. Given the crossing of state lines with Bennett’s body, federal charges might also be in play.
The case has sparked controversy, prompting Sheriff Simmons to address public scrutiny over the decision to disclose Bennett’s occupation. The sheriff emphasized the importance of transparency in the investigation.