More on Wanted Body Builders
December 23, 2005 | 7:31
am
The Review-Journal offers substantial coverage this morning of the two body builders wanted in the murder of 28 year-old Melissa James, their live-in assistant, whose corpse was found in the trunk of a burned out Jaguar. Craig Titus apparently admitted to police he had an affair with James. Also, Titus and his wife accused their alleged victim of embezzlement and theft, too, before running away from authorities:
They said they had recently evicted her for embezzling from them but they had not filed a police complaint. Both told investigators that James had stolen Ryan's car, though they did not report the theft to police.
The two gallants are still at large though their alleged accomplice, 23 year-old Anthony Gross, has been captured. The Review-Journal also has a heartbreaking interview with the victims mother who says of the suspects:
I find it hard to believe they had anything to do with it because she trusted them as friends.
According to the R-J, expecting her child home for the holiday, the mother of Melissa James, Maura, had gone to the Newark airport to meet her daughter's flight only to go home alone and start making the hospital and other calls one makes when a loved one vanishes, all ending with the coroner's call to her. How very, very, sad.
I wish I could say with out a doubt it wasnt true.
But I know Craig and Kelly and it seems as if a chain of events in their lives could vry well have lead to this.
It sadenns me to hear this news..
For the family of that poor girl my heart goes out.
This is a sad day for a great many people.
Posted by: V.C.M. | December 23, 2005 at 11:20 PM
I am a close relative of Craig Titus. I feel badly for the young woman who was found and I want to send my blessing to her family. This also saddens me and I hope that Craig did not have anything to do with this mess. He is a good man and father. God bless everyone.
Posted by: Diane Labadie | December 24, 2005 at 08:22 PM
Melissa James at one time, was a very positive influence on the youth in our community. She owned and operated the only dance studio for girls and boys on the Panama City Beach, Florida. She was a organized, reliable, talented and a patient young lady. It is a sad day to break the news to the children who have such fond memories of her. My heart goes out to her family. She will always be remembered for the good she has done here.
Posted by: Patty Hester of Panama City Beach | December 27, 2005 at 01:13 PM
I wish so much that this did not happen to Melissa! She will be missed very much. My heart goes out to her family.
Posted by: Cynthia Biddle of PCB | December 28, 2005 at 05:57 AM
I worked for Melissa for two years as a dance instructor at her studio, Dance Unlimited in Panama City. Melissa was a huge inspiration to me as a dancer, buisness owner, and friend. Most of all she believed in me and gave me an opportunity to broaden my skills as a dancer and an instructor, and I have always been very greatful to her for that. I have the studio album that contains pages and pages of thank you cards to "Miss Melissa" from her dance students, parents, and instructors. She was greatly loved, and will be greatly missed.
Posted by: Christina Muth of Panama City | December 29, 2005 at 12:34 PM
I am a competitor in the NPC and have been around the two suspects in the past. Nothing compares to the ill feeling this brings. You know when your mother said to trust your gut? I did, and I left that scene almost immediately. It sickens me to think that such an act could be done by these 2 people. I really hope that this will teach some of the careless people in the industry a major lesson. Believe it or not, you are playing with fire and it is not as innocent as it seems. My heart breaks for the family of Melissa Jones and prayers are with you always. I am sure that she will be missed by many.
Posted by: Unknown Author-figure competitor | December 29, 2005 at 11:30 PM
All we can do is to support these 2 great bodybuilders and not spread gossip.
I feel for Melissa's Family.
Posted by: Jo Robb | January 01, 2006 at 09:18 AM