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Suspect in 1995 slaying arrested in Belize

E-mail|Link|Comments () February 9, 2010 06:28 PM

By Stefanie Geisler, Globe Correspondent

A man wanted for allegedly committing a 14-year-old murder in Roxbury has been arrested in Belize, Central America, authorities said today.

Patrick Anthony Brown, 36, originally of Mattapan, had a warrant for his arrest issued following the 1995 murder of Zandera Sullivan, 21, of Jamaica Plain. Authorities believe Brown fled the country shortly after the incident.

Brown was apprehended Saturday by Boston Police with the assistance of US Marshals and local authorities. The Boston Police’s fugitive unit and cold case squad worked closely with marshals to find Brown, and recent tips led to his capture, authorities said.

Just before midnight on May 29, 1995, Brown allegedly stabbed and slashed Sullivan to death while in a residence at 236 Seaver St., police said. He also is accused of assaulting a female at the residence. Her injuries were not fatal.

Brown and Sullivan knew each other, according to authorities. Police said Sullivan was allegedly involved with a woman whom Brown had dated.

“We believe that this was essentially an incident of jealousy,” police spokeswoman Elaine Driscoll said.

Brown was identified as a suspect shortly after the incident, police said. Authorities did not indicate why they think he went to Belize or how long he had been there. They also did not provide specifics on his arrest.

Boston police secured a warrant for his arrest from Roxbury District Court, charging him with murder and two counts of armed assault in a dwelling house with a knife.

Brown is expected to be arraigned today at Suffolk Superior Court.

“Let this arrest send a clear message that no matter how much time has passed or how far you try to go, Boston police will be relentless in our pursuit to secure justice for victims and their loved ones,” Police Commissioner Edward Davis said in a statement.