MOUNT DORA BUZZ
  • Home
  • News
    • Top Stories
    • Arts & Entertainment
    • Business & Real Estate
    • Outdoor Life
    • Real Estate Buzz
    • Government & Education
    • Kindness Matters
    • Profiles
    • Newsworthy
    • What's Hot...
    • Development Buzz
    • Who Knew?
    • Buzz Polls
  • Calendar
  • Festivals & Events
    • Annual Festivals
    • Monthly Events
    • Local Holiday Events Guide
    • Fall Festivals & Halloween Events
    • Best Local Pumpkin Patches
  • Best of Mount Dora
  • Dining
  • Things to Do
  • Live Music
  • Parking
  • Photos
    • City Scenes
    • Colorful Cottages of Mount Dora
    • Gilbert Park
    • Holiday Lights
    • Doors of Mount Dora
    • Views from Above
    • Palm Island Boardwalk
    • July 4th Americana
    • Vintage Photos
    • Donnelly House
    • Sydonie Mansion
    • The Howey Mansion
  • History
  • Mobile App
  • Contact
    • News Desk
    • Advertising Inquiries
    • Writing Services & Content Marketing
    • Design Services
    • Social Media Services
    • Suggest a Restaurant Visit
    • Submit Pic of the Day
  • Subscribe

Newsworthy

SUSPECT ARRESTED IN 2018  MURDER OF  MOUNT DORA HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT

5/24/2019

0 Comments

 
PictureABOVE: Justis Garrett, 16
After a thorough and detailed investigation, FDLE agents will issue a warrant today for the arrest of Robert Nixon Kern, Jr., 40, for the murder of 16-year-old Justis Garrett of Sorrento.

Kern was taken into custody in February by the Suffolk County (NY) Police Department on fraud charges stemming from a case in Volusia County. He was extradited to Florida this Friday afternoon. FDLE agents have a signed arrest warrant for a second-degree murder charge.

“Robert Kern, Jr., is responsible for the cruel and brutal murder of Justis Garrett, who was smart, caring and loved by so many,” said FDLE Orlando Special Agent in Charge Lee Massie. “The agents on this case were relentless and worked long hours to see Justis’ murderer arrested so he could ultimately be held responsible for her untimely death.”

“It is our duty and our mission to hold the defendant accountable for the murder of our Victim in this case,” said State Attorney R.J. Larizza. “The combined efforts of our law enforcement partners and our homicide prosecutors in this case was nothing short of extraordinary.”

Justis was reported missing on Saturday, April 14, 2018, by her mother to the Mount Dora Police Department (MDPD). She was last seen the day before, on Friday, April 13th, when Kern told investigators he had taken Justis to Mount Dora High School.

Four days after she was reported missing, a group of hikers discovered a body in a wooded area off Service and Gasline roads in DeLand. On May 7th, forensic analysis determined the body was that of Justis.

PictureABOVE: Robert Nixon Kern, Jr, 40
The MDPD advised FDLE on April 24th, that the 16-year-old student had been reported missing. Eventually, due to the multiple jurisdictions involved, FDLE became the lead investigative agency on the case.

During the course of the investigation, agents learned Kern gave inconsistent statements regarding his whereabouts on April 13, 2018. Kern was the last known person to have contact with Justis.

In interviews with Justis’ mother and others, agents encountered additional inconsistencies in statements Kern provided to law enforcement. Agents then reviewed phone records and social media accounts that led to evidence linking Kern to Justis’ murder.

Kern is in the Volusia County Jail on a no-bond status. The Office of the State Attorney, 7th Judicial Circuit, will prosecute the case.

Sign up for the free Mount Dora Buzz' monthly updates  here.     For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, visit the area's website and download the area's free mobile app.  ​​​

Picture
Picture
0 Comments

    Author

    Write something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview.

    Archives

    July 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    August 2023
    December 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    June 2022
    September 2021
    July 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    January 2021
    November 2020
    October 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    October 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    May 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Terms of Use
Copyright Mount Dora Buzz 2025
​All rights reserved.



  • Home
  • News
    • Top Stories
    • Arts & Entertainment
    • Business & Real Estate
    • Outdoor Life
    • Real Estate Buzz
    • Government & Education
    • Kindness Matters
    • Profiles
    • Newsworthy
    • What's Hot...
    • Development Buzz
    • Who Knew?
    • Buzz Polls
  • Calendar
  • Festivals & Events
    • Annual Festivals
    • Monthly Events
    • Local Holiday Events Guide
    • Fall Festivals & Halloween Events
    • Best Local Pumpkin Patches
  • Best of Mount Dora
  • Dining
  • Things to Do
  • Live Music
  • Parking
  • Photos
    • City Scenes
    • Colorful Cottages of Mount Dora
    • Gilbert Park
    • Holiday Lights
    • Doors of Mount Dora
    • Views from Above
    • Palm Island Boardwalk
    • July 4th Americana
    • Vintage Photos
    • Donnelly House
    • Sydonie Mansion
    • The Howey Mansion
  • History
  • Mobile App
  • Contact
    • News Desk
    • Advertising Inquiries
    • Writing Services & Content Marketing
    • Design Services
    • Social Media Services
    • Suggest a Restaurant Visit
    • Submit Pic of the Day
  • Subscribe