A woman awaiting trial in a case involving the death of a Wilmington Island Man has been arrested in Naples, Fla.
Kimberly Moretz of Rincon was arrested Thursday night on a bench warrant issued in Florida.
“We believe Moretz fled the area to avoid trial,” Effingham County Sheriff’s Office spokesman David Ehsanipoor said.
Moretz was charged with concealing the death of Charlie Ray, 35. She was also charged with hindering apprehension and tampering with evidence.
Her trial is set to begin on Sept. 23.
Her husband, Chad Moretz, took her hostage on Jan. 11 in their house in the Westwood Heights subdivision in the Rincon area.
Chad Moretz was shot to death by a Savannah SWAT team member after an armed standoff with police.
When investigators entered the hostage scene at the Whitehall Avenue home, they discovered the partial remains of Ray. Ray’s torso and limbs were found in garbage bags in a rental storage unit rented by Kimberly Moretz in Jasper County, S.C.
Investigators believe Chad Moretz stabbed Ray to death in the kitchen of the Moretz residence on Jan. 1 or 2.
Also charged in the case was Kevin Lambert, the brother of Kimberly Moretz.
Lambert pleaded guilty on Aug. 6 to hindering the apprehension of a criminal. Superior Court Judge F. Gates Peed sentenced Lambert to five years of probation and required him to stay out of the Ogeechee Judicial Circuit and stay away from Ray’s family.
Moretz is being held in the Collier County Jail.
Ehsanipoor said the Sheriff’s Office is making arrangements to transport Moretz back to Effingham County.