Suspect Charged In Montclair Woman's Death Accused Of Killing 2nd Woman

NEWARK, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- A man charged in the murder of a missing New Jersey college student has been accused of killing a second woman.

Authorities believe Khalil Wheeler-Weaver killed 33-year-old Joanne Brown, whose body was found just days after the body of 20-year-old Sarah Butler was discovered.

Friends and family reported Brown missing in late October.

CBS2's Valerie Castro spoke with a relative of Brown's who did not want to be identified. He said it was a shock to learn the truth.

"To hear that she died in this manner, it troubles us," he said. "Why would you do that to such a beautiful person?"

Neighbors were stunned to hear that a second victim has been tied to the accused killer.

"That shocked me. That really shocked me, I mean, is he on a rampage or what?" Cheryl Heggins-Turner said.

Prosecutors revealed that Brown's body was found inside a large, vacant home in Orange, N.J. on December 5.

Neighbor Jefferson Turner remembers hearing something suspicious.

"I heard a lady screaming over there, crying and carrying on," he said.

Neighbors said they are used to squatters coming and going.

The discovery in Orange came just a few days after investigators found Butler's body. Her remains were discovered December 1 in the West Orange section of Eagle Rock Reservation.

On Saturday, December 7, prosecutors announced Wheeler-Weaver's arrest in that case saying the two were acquaintances but there was no evidence of a romantic relationship.

Butler's father spoke with CBS2 last week hinting that his daughter was not her killer's only victim.

"What I'm finding now is, he's, he's, there's quite a few girls may be missing and he's, you know, and he's in charge of it," Butler said.

Now, prosecutors believe Wheeler also killed Brown -- saying both women were strangled. There is no evidence the two women knew each other.

Brown's relative tells CBS2 he wants detectives to make sure they hold the right person responsible.

"I just want them to make sure they have all the facts before they put this death on someone and make sure it's the right one," he said.

Wheeler-Weaver is expected to be arraigned on Tuesday. He's currently held on $5 million bail.