After a case that remained unresolved for four years, the Citrus County Sheriff's Office has arrested two men in connection with the 2021 homicide of Marquel "Manny" Murray in Hernando. Murray, then aged 20, was found deceased from several gunshot wounds in a crashed pickup truck, discovered in a wooded area off North Alabaster Drive on September 9, 2021. Thomas Paul Smith, now 29, and Dmitry Williams Growdon, also 29, are the suspects arrested and charged with third-degree murder, criminal conspiracy, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, as reported by WFLA.
The long-standing investigation by the CCSO Major Crimes Unit culminated this week when warrants were executed, leading to Smith's arrest during a traffic stop and Growdon's, who was already detained on unrelated charges, according to FOX 13 News, the arrests signaled an end to years of waiting for the victim's family, with the Citrus County Sergeant Thomas Dowling asserting that "No amount of time can diminish the importance of justice," adding that "This arrest proves that criminals can't hide forever, and we will not rest until those who commit such acts of violence are held accountable."
Throughout the protracted inquiry, detectives from CCSO meticulously compiled physical evidence and conducted what would be assumed to be, numerous interviews while digital evidence subsequently uncovered became instrumental in piecing together the case, as described by Tampa Free Press. This meticulous process ultimately led to the provision of the probable cause required for the arrest warrants for both individuals.
CCSO launched a homicide investigation, and it is the combination of physical and digital evidence along with witness statements that provided the necessary grounds for the recent arrests Dowling concluded by committing to the unwavering pursuit of justice, noting the collaboration with the Fifth Judicial Circuit and reaching out to the community for any further information that could assist in bringing this case to a conclusion, anyone with additional insights is encouraged to contact the CCSO Major Case Section at 352-726-1121 or report anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-888-ANY-TIPS (269-8477).
