Suspect in FL murder turns himself in to police

A suspect in the murder of a Florida elderly woman, thought to be in Eastern Carolina, has turned himself in to police in Virginia, investigators said.

Marcus Antonio Royal, 33, was accused of killing 81-year-old Faye Jones (R) at her home in Cocoa, Florida Sunday morning. Police did not explain how the victim died. Royal also attacked a neighbor who tried to help, investigators said.

Royal then used the victim's credit card, according to authorities.

Authorities originally thought Royal was somewhere in Beaufort County, said Major Kenneth Watson, of the Beaufort County Sheriff's Office. But Major Watson told NewsChannel 12  that Royal turned himself in to the Richmond Police Department in Virginia on Tuesday.

Royal faced charges of  first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder and burglary with battery.

Royal was released from the Brevard County Jail in Florida on Saturday morning, less than 24 hours before the murder, investigators said. He is a registered sex offender.

According to media reports in Florida, Royal had previously served 15 years in prison for another attack on an 81-year-old woman.