Officers Arrest and Charge Roommate after Defendant Gives Full Confession

By Baltimore Witness staff - March 29, 2023
Daily Stories | Homicides | Victims |

On March 23, the  family of 22-year-old Jeffrey Brooks Jr. called officers to the 3100 block of Mary Avenue to report their loved one missing.

When officers arrived on the scene, they spoke with family members who stated that Jeffrey had not shown up to work earlier in the morning and that they had heard that Jeffrey had gotten into a physical altercation with his roommate on the prior evening.

Jeffrey’s vehicle was missing and he wasn’t answering his cell phone.

Missing persons detectives were summonsed, and then ultimately homicide detectives responded and assumed control of the investigation, as family members feared the worst.

On March 24, homicide detectives interviewed the family and obtained information which lead them to located and take the roommate into custody.

Detectives interviewed the roommate who gave a full confession about what occurred and directed them to Brooks’ remains.

Later on Friday, at approximately 10:45 p.m., the body of Brooks was located inside his vehicle which was parked in the rear of the 6800 block of Harford. Brooks was found to have sustained a gunshot wound to his body.  His remains were recovered and transported to the medical examiner’s office where an autopsy will be performed.

Homicide detectives have officially charged the roommate, 24-year-old Markis Russell of the 3100 block of Mary Avenue, with the murder of Jeffrey Brooks, Jr.

Russell is currently at Central Booking Intake Facility where he is waiting to see a court commissioner.

According to BPD, “had it not been for the active participation and cooperation of the Brooks’ family, this case would not have been solved. Brooks would still be missing and his killer would still be at large.”