Suspect in Temple University student's murder has criminal past

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Arrest made in murder of Temple University student

29-year-old man charged

A former Temple University student has been charged in the death of a current student whose remains were found over the weekend.

Joshua Hupperterz, 29, was taken into custody Friday and charged with murder after authorities found a body, confirmed to be missing college student Jenna Burleigh, 22. Burleigh’s body was found on property belonging to Hupperterz’s grandmother.

Burleigh was reported missing on Thursday night, and was last seen on surveillance footage leaving a bar near campus in north Philadelphia, with a man police identified as Hupperterz.

Hupperterz was charged with murder, and faces charges of possession of an instrument of crime, evidence-tampering and abuse of a corpse.

Hupperterz last took classes as a junior at Temple last spring, Philly.com reported.

Court records showed he pleaded guilty to theft from a motor vehicle in 2013, and drug possession in 2011.

In 2013, Hupperterz allegedly broke into a home and stole electronics, credit cards and beer.

Hupperterz gave a “partial confession,” according to Philly.com. Police say they believe he killed Burleigh in his Philadelphia apartment, then moved her body at least twice.

ARREST MADE IN SLAYING OF TEMPLE UNIVERSITY STUDENT

When investigators entered his apartment – which was near the bar where investigators believe he and Burleigh met – they found blood, drugs and cash.

Philadelphia Police Capt. John Ryan said the murder did not appear to be premeditated.

Burleigh’s cause of death was determined to be from a mixture of blunt trauma and strangulation, according to the news outlet.

Burleigh, who was studying film and media arts, had transferred to Temple last week from a community college and commuted to school.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.