The suspect in the death of St. Augustine Father Rene Robert has been formally charged with malice murder.
Steven Murray is being held in the Burke County, Georgia Jail. That’s the county where he led investigators to remains believed to be Father Rene earlier this week. Because of the condition of the remains, a positive identification has not yet been made. Investigators are waiting on dental records from Florida to confirm the identity of the remains.
The cause of death has officially been ruled a homicide. The remains suffered multiple gunshots, according to investigators.
Murray was denied bond during a hearing Wednesday. He spoke briefly while he was being taken out of the courtroom, apologizing for what happened.
“I’m sorry and please forgive me. If you all love him [Father Rene], you’ll forgive me because he was a man of God,” Murray says.
When asked what happened, Murray said he had mental problems and lost control.
Police say Murray knew Father Rene through a third person who had connected them for counseling purposes. Investigators believe Murray killed Father Rene and left his body uncovered at a tree line in rural Georgia. We’re told he then made several trips between St. Johns County and Aiken, South Carolina in the week that followed, including leading law enforcement on two high speed chases.
Murray was eventually caught in Aiken County.