Hunt For Massachusetts Murder Suspect Focuses On Miami-Dade

CORAL GABLES, FL — The search for an alleged Massachusetts murder suspect is now focused on Miami-Dade County. Cornel Bell is believed to be armed and extremely dangerous. The 46-year-old Bell is wanted by Massachusetts State Police in connection with the Aug. 19 slaying of his former girlfriend inside her home.

"Investigators are not ruling out any part of Miami-Dade County," Detective Alvaro Zabaleta of the Miami-Dade Police Department told Patch on Friday. Police had previously said that they were focusing the search around the Coral Gables area.

Zabaleta said that the Miami-Dade Police Department's Homicide Task Force has been assisting Massachusetts State Police in the search for Bell, who was added to that state's most wanted list on Wednesday by the Massachusetts State Police Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section.

According to Massachusetts State Police, Bell may be traveling under the names Cavin Wayne Lebert, Cornel James, Kerrol Florizel Bailey, Cornel Carara, Bernard Duke Bell, Mark Simmons, Tony Smith, and Anthony Smith. Police have said that Bell has at least four separate Massachusetts motor vehicle licenses under different names.

Bell is approximately 5 feet 4 inches tall and 170 pounds with a dark complexion and brown eyes. His hair is black with possible gray spots. He speaks in a heavy Jamaican accent.

"Bell fled in a stolen pickup truck, which was recovered several days later by police in Florida," Massachusetts State Police said. "He was last seen with short hair and a close cropped beard, both of which were salt-and-pepper in color."

Bell's former girlfriend, 33-year-old Michele Clark, was found murdered in her Lake Street apartment in Weymouth, Massachusetts. Police said the single mother was also Jamaican.

In addition to the warrant related to Clarke's murder, Bell also has two other outstanding warrants in Massachusetts, one for assault with intent to murder in 1997 and the other for armed robbery in 2002.

Anyone who believes they see Bell should call 9-1-1 immediately. To report a tip on Bell or his whereabouts, call Massachusetts State Police Trooper Yuri Bukhenik at 703-887-6207 or Weymouth Police Detective Sergeant Robert Regan at 339-201-1324.

Photo of Cornel Bell courtesy of the Massachusetts State Police.