Man charged with killing roommate, dumping body in suitcase in Midtown – FOX13 News Memphis

2021-12-29 18:55:27 By : Ms. Joy Xu

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A man is now behind bars after another’s man body was found stuffed in a suitcase behind a dumpster in Midtown.

Memphis police found the suitcase Dec. 12 in the 1400 block of Union Avenue behind Regions Banks, according to an affidavit.

MORE: Residents in disbelief after a body is discovered inside of a suitcase

The suitcase was taken to the West TN Regional Forensic Center on Poplar Avenue.

The victim inside had died from blunt force trauma to the head, police said.

The victim was later identified as 63-year-old Bruce Jeffries.

A witness told police he saw a man dragging the same through the suitcase through the alley around 10 a.m., which was supported by video surveillance.

The witness said the man attempted to throw the suitcase in the dumpster, but it was apparently too heavy, according to the affidavit.

When the man found he was being watched, he dropped the suitcase and ran through the alley toward Union Avenue.

MORE: Police identify body found in suitcase on Midtown street

A blood trail from the suitcase led police to the Broad Moore apartment complex on S. Cleveland.

A search warrant was obtained for an apartment where the blood trail ended, police said.

The keys were still in the door’s lock and there were no signs of forced entry.

Investigators found signs of a struggle inside: broken glass, broken mirror and blood in the bedroom.

There were several pieces of clothing with blood stains in a washing machine waiting to be washed, police said.

Police found a smaller suitcase similar to the one containing the victim’s body.

Inside, police found clothing and papers belonging to Julian Summers, 30.

Summers was the victim’s roommate for the past two years, according to the affidavit.

Video showed Summers attempting to throw the suitcase in the dumpster at the apartment complex, but it was too heavy.

Police said Summers then dragged the suitcase with the victim’s body from the apartment complex to Linden Avenue, then to the alley at Eastmoreland Avenue across from the dumpster behind the bank.

Summers is charged with second-degree murder, tampering with evidence and abuse of a corpse.

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