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Police Nab Person Of Interest In Brackenridge Woman's Homicide

BRACKENRIDGE (KDKA) — Authorities in West Virginia have apprehended a man wanted in connection with the murder of a 63-year-old woman from Brackenridge.

Justin Bartlett, 25, was arrested Monday afternoon at a Rite Aid in Fairmont, West Virginia, after a brief foot pursuit. Authorities in that area had been searching for him since putting out an alert, describing him as dangerous, over the weekend.

The Allegheny County Medical Examiner's Office determined that Linda McGinnis, 63, died Friday morning from a chop wound to the head and a stab wound to the neck. She was reported missing Friday, her car was gone, and her body was found inside her home the next day.

Authorities found McGinnis' car in Mannington, West Virginia. Investigators say Bartlett had been driving it.

Bartlett has a long criminal history and was sentenced to two years in prison back in 2014 after breaking into a man's home and setting his cat on fire.

KDKA has also learned that two of Bartlett's girlfriends filed Protection from Abuse Orders against him.

Most recently, this past November, in her PFA application, one of the women wrote: "Bartlett threw knives at me, and repeatedly threatened to kill me, and attempted to cut my throat."

Three years ago, Bartlett's then-girlfriend wrote in her court application for a PFA that "Bartlett beat me with his hands, then grabbed a baseball bat, and beat me in the legs. He punched and choked me, and left bruises."

McGinnis lived alone on Ninth Avenue in Brackenridge with her black cockapoo, Mandy. Bartlett lived nearby.

People who live in the neighborhood say Bartlett's home was a constant source of noise and commotion.

"There's been times the cops have been over there because him and his girlfriend had been arguing back and forth, and my window is right there so it would always keep me up, it was crazy," Michael Berkoben said.

Berkoben, along with other neighbors, say Bartlett spent a lot of time at McGinnis' home.

"She knew him well enough to let him in her house," neighbor Mary Madrid said. "They were friends; I saw her helping him all the time. He used to go an help her around the house and stuff."

Madrid said Bartlett also asked her if she wanted help around her house.

"I would never let him in my house. He seemed nice enough but just a little off, and I'm real particular, I have a grand-baby here and my daughter, and I'm real particular about who comes into my house," she said.

Family members say they do not believe McGinnis and Bartlett were friends.

Bartlett has not been charged with her murder, but Allegheny County Police say they want to question him about McGinnis' slaying.

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