Details Released in Death of Jennifer Brown, Former Business Partner Charged with Murder

The Bobster

Senior News Editor since 2004

Details Released in Death of Jennifer Brown, Former Business Partner Charged with Murder​

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Blair Anthony Watts, 33, of Royersford, left, and Jennifer Brown, 43, of Limerick, right. (Credit: Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office)
Keith Heffintrayer | North Penn Now•
2 hours ago

The former business partner of a Montgomery County mother who was reported missing in early January has been charged with murder in connection with her death.
Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele announced at a press conference Thursday afternoon that 33-year-old Blair Watts, of Royersford, has been charged with first and third-degree murder, along with felony counts of theft by unlawful taking and access device fraud, in connection with the death of 43-year-old Jennifer Brown, of Limerick Township.
He is currently awaiting arraignment on the charges. Watts will not be eligible for bail due to the murder charges.
“For 37 days since this devoted mother was reported missing, detectives have been accumulating evidence, piece by piece, bringing into focus what happened to Jennifer and who murdered her,” said DA Steele. “That picture shows Blair Watts murdered Jennifer Brown on Jan. 3rd, then moved her body and ultimately buried her in a shallow grave. He is now behind bars at the Montgomery County Correctional Facility.”
Brown’s remains were discovered on Jan. 18 partially buried in a field behind a warehouse in Royersford, near Fifth and Chestnut streets.
An autopsy on Brown was performed on Jan. 19, which noted she had three broken ribs with accompanying trauma, as well as bite marks to her tongue, investigators said. At that time, Forensic Pathologist Dr. Ian Hook left the cause and manner of death as undetermined pending the results of a toxicology report, according to the criminal complaint.
After reviewing the toxicology reports a week later, Dr. Hood opined the cause of death was homicide by unspecified means and the manner of death was homicide, the report states. Steele noted during the press conference there was no gunshot wound, stab wound, or toxic cause for Brown’s death.
During Thursday’s press conference, Steele didn’t provide a conclusive motive for the killing, however he pointed reporters to the 39-page criminal complaint, which reveals inconsistencies in plans between Brown and Watts to launch their restaurant, named “Birdie’s Kitchen.”
The complaint also notes that Brown had sent “$Birdieskitchen” $9,000 via CashApp at 4:23 p.m. on Jan. 3, and then a second transaction of $8,000 occurred via Zelle at 4:35 p.m., according to the complaint. Investigators noted that prior to the CashApp transfer, the two-step authentication feature had allegedly been switched from “on” to “off.”
The 39-page criminal complaint is viewable below:

A preliminary hearing will be scheduled following Watts’ arraignment. The case is being prosecuted by First Assistant District Attorney Edward McCann Jr. and Assistant District Attorney Lindsey Mills.
 

Hearing for suspect in murder of missing Montco mother​


philadelphia
By Matt Petrillo

March 16, 2023 / 12:43 PM / CBS Philadelphia



LIMERICK TOWNSHIP, Pa. (CBS) – A Montgomery County man accused of murdering his business partner went before a judge on Thursday. Blair Watts, of Royersford, had his preliminary hearing Thursday in Limerick Township.

The murder suspect Watts wore a red prison jumpsuit and had his hands and feet shackled as he walked into the judge's office. The only thing CBS News Philadelphia heard him say was "hello" to a family member.

Watts was tight-lipped walking into district court Thursday.

The 33-year-old is charged with first-degree murder in connection with the death of his business colleague Jennifer Brown, the Limerick Township mother, who went missing in January.

A year before the crime, Watts actually spoke with CBS News Philadelphia about his restaurant Birdie's Kitchen.


But Thursday, he kept silent.

Investigators say Watts was Brown's business partner and friend. The two planned on re-opening Birdie's Kitchen in Phoenixville at the end of January.

Instead, Brown was reported missing. Her body was later found in a wooded area. Investigators say an overwhelming amount of evidence points to Watts, including money being transferred from Brown's account to Watts'.

Cell phone data shows Watts in the area of Brown's home after her death.


And, officials say a K-9 cadaver dog signaled a dead body near the kitchen and a trash area outside Brown's property.

Authorities are still working to figure out how Jennifer Brown died. There was no indication of a gunshot or knife wound.
 



Jennifer Brown murder: Trial begins for Blair Watts, accused of killing business partner in Montgomery County​


philadelphia
By Joe Brandt

December 6, 2023 / 9:47 AM EST / CBS Philadelphia






PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Jury selection begins Wednesday in the trial of Blair Watts, a Montgomery County man accused of murdering Jennifer Brown, a Limerick mother who was also his business partner.

Brown, 43, was last seen on Jan. 3 and relatives knew she was missing after she didn't pick up her son from the bus stop the next day, Jan. 4.

Family members said Brown never would have left her sons without letting anyone know. They banded together with community members, who handed out flyers and participated in search parties.

Investigators searched the area for more than two weeks before finding Brown's body wrapped in plastic and partially buried at an industrial complex at 5th and Chestnut Streets in Royersford, Pennsylvania.

About three weeks later, Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele announced charges against Watts. Investigators believe Watts killed Brown and disposed of her body.

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Jennifer Brown Montgomery County District Attorney's Office / Facebook
Pieces of a black and white hair clip were found embedded in the carpet at Brown's home, and those matched up with other pieces of plastic found at the scene in Royersford.




"That became significant to say this likely happened in her house and then she was taken to this shallow grave," Steele said in Feburary when charges were announced.

Investigators say Watts was Brown's business partner and friend. The two planned on opening a restaurant called "Birdie's Kitchen" in Phoenixville at the end of January.

Brown and Watts entered a business partnership together in late August 2022.

In 2022, Watts spoke to CBS News Philadelphia in 2022 about the comfort food he was cooking up.




Watts' trial is expected to last into next week.
 
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