DEWEY BEACH, Del.- Delaware State Police homicide detectives have identified the woman who was found murdered Monday morning at the Atlantic Oceanside Motel in Dewey Beach.
Detectives on Tuesday afternoon announced that the victim has been identified as 26-year-old Danielle Mehlman of Bensalem, Pa.
Earlier Tuesday, police announced that detectives have obtained arrest warrants for 26-year-old Pawan Kumar of the Stratford Apartments, located on the 3000 block of Naamans Road in Wilmington.
Anyone with information on Kumar's whereabouts is asked to contact Detective Chambers at
(302) 856-5850, ext. 206 or Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333. Information may also be provided via
www.tipsubmit.com. Send an anonymous tip by text to 274637 (CRIMES) using the keyword "DSP."
When located and taken into custody, Kumar will be charged with first-degree murder and possession of a deadly weapon during the commission of a felony.
According to police, a housekeeper found a Mehlman's body on the floor of a room at the Atlantic Oceanside Motel shortly before 11 a.m. Monday. Her body was turned over to the medical examiner's office to determine the official cause of death.
This is the first homicide in Dewey Beach since the town was incorporated back in 1981, Dewey Police spokesman Sgt. Cliff Dempsey said.
DSP spokesman Cpl. Gary Fournier did not say if police found a weapon or if anyone else was sharing the room. There did not appear to be signs of a forced entry, Fournier said. Detectives interviewed motel staff and guests.
News quickly spread through the small resort town known best for its beach and summer nightlife. While the summer population swells into the tens of thousands, Dewey's year-round population is a little over 300.
"Very odd for this town," said Michael Brown, of Wilmington, Del., who was staying at a neighboring motel.
Brown said he passed the Atlantic Oceanside Motel several times on Sunday night.
"Nothing unusual happening," Brown said. "Just the normal course of events, people walking up and down the street."
Mayor Diane Hanson said the police chief has requested a special town council meeting on Wednesday night to present plans for additional public safety resources. She would not provide further details, only to say the meeting will be at 6 p.m. at the Lifesaving Station.
Over the telephone, Hanson said Dewey is known as a fun and safe place.
"We plan to keep it that way," Hanson said.
Delaware State Police released surveillance video photos of Pawan Kumar, who is wanted on first-degree murder and related charges.
Police said a housekeeper found 26-year-old Danielle Mehlman's body on the floor of a room at the Atlantic Oceanside Motel on Monday morning. Investigators are calling the death a murder. (Photo: WBOC)
