GEORGETOWN, Del.- Family members of a Sussex County murder victim said they are relieved authorities have made an arrest but still struggle with their loss.
Nicole Bennett, 35, of Millsboro, was found dead on June 15 off a dirt road near Whaleyville in Worcester County, Md.
On Friday, a U.S. Marshal's Task Force arrested Matthew Burton, 28, of Dagsboro, in connection with the crime. Both victim and suspect worked at Bay Shore Community Church outside of Millsboro where Bennett was working late the last time she was heard from.
"It doesn't bring back our daughter-in-law," said Bob Bennett, the victim's father-in-law. "We're all in a lot of pain but it gives relief on many levels that somebody this evil has been caught."
Burton will challenge his extradition to Maryland but investigators are not sure why, said Maryland State Police spokeswoman Elena Russo. Burton is behind bars at Sussex Correctional Institution in Georgetown, Del. He will likely face charges of first and second degree murder if transferred to Worcester County.
If the extradition is challenged, the governor of Maryland will likely have to sign a special warrant, called a "governor's warrant," and then forward it to the governor of Delaware, explained Jason Miller, spokesman for the Delaware Department of Justice. A signature from each governor would be enough to present at a court hearing and transfer Burton to Worcester County, Miller said. An extradition hearing is generally held within 90 days of the arrest.
DNA evidence links Burton to the murder, police said. Investigators have yet to determine the scene of the initial crime or any motive, troopers said. Bennett, who worked in the daycare, had been alone inside the church with Burton, police said.
An autopsy determined Bennett was murdered and had been asphyxiated, police said. The victim was likely dead when her body was left in the embankment off of the dirt road, police said.
"We live in an evil world and because we live in an evil world, evil exists," said Bennett. "Evil can find anybody at anytime and it found my daughter-in-law."
Bennett said he is unaware if Nicole actually knew Burton, a detail he said may surface at trial.
Records from the Justice of the Peace Court show members of the U.S. Marshal's task force established surveillance at Burton's residence; authorities then followed Burton to Coastal Highway Route 1 near Rehoboth Beach and arrested him once the warrants in Maryland had been approved.
Burton is a Tier I (low-risk) registered sex offender, said Delaware State Police spokesman Sgt. Paul Shavack.
The accused worked as an independent contractor for a short time at Bay Shore cleaning the facility during the evening hours, the church said in a statement.
"When we became aware that he had a criminal record which had not been previously disclosed, he was informed that his contract would be terminated," the statement said.
Burton's last day of work was June 14, according to the church; Bennett's body was discovered the next day.
The church refused to comment beyond the scope of the statement, declining to answer if Burton underwent a background check or who informed church administrators of the previous criminal record. Bay Shore said it is cooperating with investigators. Burton was arrested on June 22 in Delaware for failing to update his employment status within three days once released from the church, Shavack said.
Bennett left behind a husband and three daughters ages 11, 8 and 15 months.
Bennett's father-in-law said he plans to attend the trial and wants to send a message to Burton.
"I hope to have the opportunity to confront him and make him realize the three girls he left without a mother. My son, who is left without a loving wife," Bennett said.
The victim's family is also in need of assistance now that half of its income is gone, Bennett said. Donations can be made to the Nicole Reiser Memorial Fund, c/o WSFS Bank, 26644 Center View Dr., Millsboro, DE 19966.
Court officials said Burton did not have an attorney listed. An extradition hearing is scheduled for Aug. 6 at 10 a.m., according to court records.
Matthew Burton
