Deputies say man killed girlfriend

Staff report

Published: Wednesday, July 15, 2009 at 1:21 a.m.
Last Modified: Wednesday, July 15, 2009 at 1:21 a.m.

MANATEE COUNTY - Deputies charged a Bradenton man on Tuesday with murdering his girlfriend in May.

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Johnathon Holte, 26

Johnathon Holte, 26, told detectives that he fought with his girlfriend, Malenne Meranvil, 21, the night of May 21 and left their apartment in the 2500 block of 55th Avenue W.

Holte called the Sheriff's Office the next day, saying that he found her body when he returned about noon.

Detectives, who have not released Meranvil's cause of death or other details, now say that physical evidence shows that Holte killed her.

Detectives found no signs of a break-in at the apartment and no conventional weapon such as a firearm or a knife, a sheriff's spokesman said at the time of the crime.