The former business partner of a Montgomery County mother who was reported missing in early January has been charged with murder in connection with her death.
Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele announced at a press conference Thursday afternoon that 33-year-old Blair Watts, of Royersford, has been charged with first and third-degree murder, along with felony counts of theft by unlawful taking and access device fraud, in connection with the death of 43-year-old Jennifer Brown, of Limerick Township.
He is currently awaiting arraignment on the charges. Watts will not be eligible for bail due to the murder charges.
“For 37 days since this devoted mother was reported missing, detectives have been accumulating evidence, piece by piece, bringing into focus what happened to Jennifer and who murdered her,” said DA Steele. “That picture shows Blair Watts murdered Jennifer Brown on Jan. 3rd, then moved her body and ultimately buried her in a shallow grave. He is now behind bars at the Montgomery County Correctional Facility.”
Brown’s remains were discovered on Jan. 18 partially buried in a field behind a warehouse in Royersford, near Fifth and Chestnut streets.
An autopsy on Brown was performed on Jan. 19, which noted she had three broken ribs with accompanying trauma, as well as bite marks to her tongue, investigators said. At that time, Forensic Pathologist Dr. Ian Hook left the cause and manner of death as undetermined pending the results of a toxicology report, according to the criminal complaint.
After reviewing the toxicology reports a week later, Dr. Hood opined the cause of death was homicide by unspecified means and the manner of death was homicide, the report states. Steele noted during the press conference there was no gunshot wound, stab wound, or toxic cause for Brown’s death.
During Thursday’s press conference, Steele didn’t provide a conclusive motive for the killing, however he pointed reporters to the 39-page criminal complaint, which reveals inconsistencies in plans between Brown and Watts to launch their restaurant, named “Birdie’s Kitchen.”
The complaint also notes that Brown had sent “$Birdieskitchen” $9,000 via CashApp at 4:23 p.m. on Jan. 3, and then a second transaction of $8,000 occurred via Zelle at 4:35 p.m., according to the complaint. Investigators noted that prior to the CashApp transfer, the two-step authentication feature had allegedly been switched from “on” to “off.”
The 39-page criminal complaint is viewable below:
A preliminary hearing will be scheduled following Watts’ arraignment. The case is being prosecuted by First Assistant District Attorney Edward McCann Jr. and Assistant District Attorney Lindsey Mills.
This article will be updated.
All suspects and defendants are innocent until proven guilty. This story was compiled using court records and the affidavit of probable cause.
See also:
Report: Former Business Partner Arrested in Connection with Death of Jennifer Brown
Remains Of Missing Limerick Mother Found In Royersford, Authorities Say
Reward Increased for Information Leading to Location of Missing Montco Woman
DA Seeks Assistance in Locating Missing Montco Woman, $10,000 Reward Offered
