Arrests made in murders of two missing women in Berkeley County

MARTINSBURG, W.Va. — Two arrests have been made in the murders of two missing Maryland women found dead in Berkeley County.

April Braner

37 year-old April Braner Falling Waters has been arraigned in Berkeley County Circuit Court on felony charges of first degree murder and conspiracy.

22 year-old Jeffrey Smith of Westminster, Maryland, is currently being held in Maryland. Smith’s mugshot was unavailable Wednesday.

On April 6, the FBI reported Grogg and Tyler missing from Carroll County, Maryland.

Heather Grogg

Court records indicate Grogg and Tyler were murdered in a trailer along Burnside Drive in Falling Waters last month.

It’s believed their murders are related to the March 18 murder of 33 year-old Jonathan Riddle of Taneytown, Maryland. An exact motive into all of the murders remains unclear.

The Panhandle News Network previously reported Riddle’s body was found in the Rippon area of Jefferson County.

Previously arrested for Riddle’s death were John Black III, Monroe Merrell and David Sanford, Jr. All three are from Carroll County and charged with first degree murder and kidnapping.

Danielle Tyler

Police believe a fight started in a Maryland apartment before Riddle was bound and transported to West Virginia. Riddle’s body was found partially burned with multiple stab and trauma wounds.

Braner remained in the Eastern Regional Jail Wednesday without bond.

The investigation continues.