Murder Suspect Charged In Fatal Alley Stabbing: St. Pete Police

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — The suspect in the murder of Jona Waller, who was found stabbed to death in an alley on March 17, was arrested Friday, authorities said.

Tommy Gene Stephens, 52, is accused of fatally stabbing the 34-year-old woman, according to a St. Petersburg Police Department news release. He was charged with second-degree murder, a felony.

Stephens also faces a misdemeanor charge for the violation of an injunction for protection against sexual violence, according to Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office jail records.

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He met Waller in the alley south of 255 37th Street N., where he stabbed and killed her, police said. Her body was found around 4:15 p.m.

Patch has reached out to SPPD for more information about Waller’s relationship with Stephens. This article will be updated when the agency responds.