Arrest made in July murder of grandmother and granddaughter in Middle River

BALTIMORE -- Police have arrested a man for the Middle River double murder of a grandmother and granddaughter in July, according to the Baltimore County Police Department. Bryan Cherry, 36, has been charged with first-degree murder.

On Sunday, July 7, Baltimore County Officers found 75-year-old Iona Sellers and 29-year-old Autumn Harvey dead after a "check location" call. The pair had been living together at a home on Taos Circle.

Both had apparent blunt force trauma to their upper bodies, according to police.  

Harvey moved in with her grandmother after the death of her grandfather a few years ago.

The family of the victims say seeing the accused face behind the crime has brought the first sense of justice in more than a month.

"I feel like today it's hit me harder than it has the entire time," Devin Harney, Autumn's cousin, said.  

A bond as solid as siblings, Devin says a wave of relief came crashing over after learning 36-year-old Bryan Cherry was charged in connection to the case on Taos Circle.  

"Ultimately, I'm so relieved and happy that we have a chance to get justice," Devin said.  

In July, Devin described her as a kind person with a contagious laugh. "She was a little bit shy, but once you got to know her... she was just awesome," he said. 

History of Violence

The suspect is no stranger to law enforcement with a lengthy, violent criminal history.  

Baltimore County Police Detective Trae Corbin says evidence from a third, separate homicide one week after Autumn and Iona's murders helped link Cherry to their investigation.  

"Baltimore City has a separate investigation for a homicide that he was arrested for on July 14," Corbin said. "Once we got our DNA hit, we were able to match that through the system to see this person was already incarcerated for a separate crime."  

With previous arrests for assault and armed robbery through Baltimore City, Cherry now faces three charges for first-degree homicide in Baltimore County.  

"I'm going to have a beer for you tonight and we're going to take this all the way and not going to stop until he's locked up for good," Devin said.  

The suspect was already being held in jail without bond for the third homicide case but is set to go before a judge for a hearing on Friday.