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Hernando Today

Police: Suspect Strangled Van Slyke

By KYLE MARTIN

Brooksville police escort a handcuffed Monty Albright to a waiting police cruiser Wednesday night outside police headquarters on Veterans Avenue. Albright is being held on suspicion of first-degree murder.

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By KYLE MARTIN

Hernando Today

Published: January 22, 2009

BROOKSVILLE - Monty Albright was homeless on Wednesday.

Now he's got a bed at the county jail.

Albright, 35, was brought in by Brooksville police late Wednesday afternoon to answer some questions about the homicide of property appraiser Steven Van Slyke. At 10:45 p.m., he was led out of the Brooksville Police Department in handcuffs, accused of first-degree murder.

Police Chief George Turner said Albright confessed to the killing and that he offered this account to investigators:

On Monday, Jan. 19, the suspect went to Van Slyke's house at 27 Cherry St., off Howell Avenue, just south of Hernando High School. Albright and the victim knew each other, but the depth of their relationship is unclear, Turner said.

While at the house, Albright bound Van Slyke to his bed and stole his bank card. He used Van Slyke's car to drive to a local bank cash machine and withdraw cash. With money in hand, Albright returned to Cherry Street and strangled Van Slyke with a "ligature," according to a press release.

A ligature is something used to bind (like a rope), but Turner wouldn't identify exactly what type of ligature was used to kill Van Slyke. Albright hid the victim under the bed and tried to clean up the scene before leaving in Van Slyke's gold Volvo.

On Tuesday afternoon, one of Van Slyke's friends came over to check on him. He found the body and called authorities.

Turner wouldn't give any specifics as to what led investigators to Albright, except for witness interviews and retracing Van Slyke's steps. A press release mentions that Albright continued to use the victim's bank card after his death.

Earlier in the investigation, detectives said they were looking for two other men who were with Albright Tuesday night. Turner said they've identified those men, one of whom was brought in for questioning at the police department Wednesday.

At this point, though, all indications are that Albright acted alone, Turner said.

Albright is being held on suspicion of first-degree murder, but only a grand jury can officially indict him on that charge.

Reporter Kyle Martin can be reached at 352-544-5271 or kmartin@hernandotoday.com.

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