MELBOURNE, Florida — The Brevard County Sheriff’s Office has arrested 53-year-old John Dwyer, on charges of first degree premeditated murder of his live-in girlfriend, 52-year-old Joan Meta Justis.
Dwyer was taken to the Brevard County Jail where he is being held on a no bond status. The Sheriff’s Office received a telephone call, where information was provided that a woman was dead inside an apartment at the Cypress Cove Apartments, located at 7667 North Wickham Road in Melbourne, Florida. Deputies then discovered Justis’ body. Evidence from the scene led investigators to believe that the death was a homicide. Investigators say Dwyer fled the scene after Justis was killed.
Agents later located Dwyer at a local motel where he was taken into custody. The body of the victim was taken to the Brevard County Medical Examiner’s Office where an autopsy was conducted. Investigators say preliminary results of the examination concluded that Justis was the victim of a homicide due to strangulation.
Anyone with information about this investigation is asked to call Agent Joe Martin of the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office Homicide Unit at 321-633-8413 or CRIMELINE at 1- 800-423-TIPS (8477).
All calls to CRIMELINE are confidential, and callers can remain anonymous and be eligible for a reward for information leading to an arrest.
