James McGhee Captured, Charged In Death Of Missing Gary Woman Sidne-Nichole Buchanan
GARY, Ind. (CBS) -- Authorities captured a wanted suspect Wednesday night in the murder of a Gary woman whose body was found in a forest preserve.
James McGhee, 38, was taken into custody and charged with murder Tuesday night in the death of Sidne-Nichole Buchanan. He is the man she was last seen with and he had been wanted for questioning.
McGhee was arrested late Wednesday in Hammond by the FBI and Indiana State Police, according to the FBI. He was apprehended hours after the FBI put his picture out asking for help locating him.
As CBS 2's Charlie De Mar reported, Buchanan went missing on July 27 in Tinley Park.
The Cook County Medical Examiner's office confirmed on Wednesday that Buchanan's body was found in the Thornton Lansing Road Nature Preserve in the south suburbs.
"I'm hurt. I'm devastated," said neighbor Ella Hardaway. "She was a beautiful person."
Buchanan had last been seen last seen at a concert in Tinley Park. Video posted to Buchanan's Facebook page showed McGhee next to her.
It was the last time anyone saw Buchanan, a former dance teacher at a Gary studio.
"She was so passionate, and so sweet, and just uber-kind, and maybe too trusting," said friend Joe Starnes.
"She didn't bother anybody. She kept to herself," Hardaway said. "I'm hurt by it."
McGhee has a violent past. He pleaded guilty to a shocking 2017 incident with an ex-girlfriend.
The woman was pregnant at the time with quadruplets, and court documents said McGhee "pulled a kitchen knife on her and placed it on the back of her neck, threatening to kill her."
Documents went on, "He kicked her in the stomach, knocking her down where he continued to punch and kick her in the face and stomach."
McGhee's ex-girlfriend lost three of the four unborn children.
Meanwhile, Buchanan's family released a statement saying that she was filled with ambition, passion, and love.
"She had whole life ahead of her," Starnes said.
McGhee was being held in the Lake County, Indiana Jail late Wednesday.
