A pregnant mother was found dead in her home with her unborn baby removed from her womb. April Barlow Celio, 41, was discovered lifeless inside a property in Pineville, Kentucky, on September 23. Police and the Bell County Coroner's Office concluded she had been murdered upon reaching the 300 block of George Martin Drive.
The chilling details of her death emerged the following day when investigators discovered April had been expecting a child. The State Medical Examiner's Office established that there was no foetus in April's womb at the time of her post-mortem examination. While processing the scene, investigators later recovered what they, along with medical examiners, believed to be foetal remains. Authorities have yet to publicly reveal the cause of April's death or how the unborn child was extracted from her womb.
Suspect identified and arrested
The investigation focused on DeMarcus Kenneth Johnson-Wright, identified by police as a suspect. On September 25, a Bell County District Court judge issued warrants for his arrest on suspicion of first-degree robbery and kidnapping. Further warrants were issued on September 30, accusing Johnson-Wright of murder involving domestic violence and tampering with physical evidence. Police stated that Johnson-Wright has a lengthy history of violent crime and several outstanding warrants for violent felonies in Tennessee.
Investigators later found him residing at a property in Clarksville, Tennessee, over 250 miles from the location of April's death. The U.S. Marshals Service was enlisted to assist in locating him. At approximately 11 pm on September 30, Johnson-Wright was apprehended at the Clarksville property by a team of federal, state and local officers. Following his arrest, a search warrant was issued for the property, where investigators discovered materials relevant to the case.
Family and funeral
Johnson-Wright was subsequently detained at the Montgomery County Detention Centre in Tennessee and is currently awaiting extradition to Kentucky. It remains uncertain what connection, if any, Johnson-Wright had with April.
April's family are now grieving the loss of the 41-year-old mother, who leaves behind her husband Antonio and three children. Her obituary describes her as a devoted mother and names her surviving children as Kaden Alexander Iracheta, Alaina Sofia Celio and Nicolas Antonio Celio. She is also survived by her parents, Michael and Teresa Barlow, sister Amanda De Paz and other relatives and friends. April was born in Pineville on September 11, 1985. Her funeral took place at Barbourville Funeral Home on Monday, October 5, before she was laid to rest at Big Jim Cemetery.
In the wake of her death, her family set up a GoFundMe appeal to provide financial support for her surviving children. The fundraiser was established by April's sister Amanda to help cover funeral costs and offer support to the family. Johnson-Wright is still being held in custody in Tennessee as arrangements are made for his return to Kentucky. The investigation continues.
