Hearings Begin in Murder of Atlanta Woman in Grenada

(Image: Royal Grenada Police Force)

Hearings began late last week in the case against a man accused of killing a Midtown woman who was on vacation with her husband in the Caribbean.

Dave Martin Benjamin, 27, is accused of raping and killing Jessica Colker, 39, this past weekend on the island of Grenada. Prosecutors say Benjamin abducted both Colker and her husband, Brian Melito, and took them to a wooded area, according to the AJC. Melito is said to have escaped and then ran for help.

A total of 12 witnesses are reported to be called in the case, according to the Associated Press. Benjamin surrendered to police the day after Colker’s death, and he was charged with capital murder on Wednesday.

Benjamin became the chief suspect in the case after witnesses saw him begging for money on the beach. He was convicted of rape in 2013 but released on account of good behavior.

Still undetermined is why Benjamin targeted the couple for the alleged attack.

Initial media reports were that Colker and her husband were attacked by an assailant using a sword or blade, but police now say that no such weapon was used in the attack. Colker’s cause of death is now being reported as resulting from an extensive skull fracture and loss of oxygen.

Colker was a physician’s assistant with Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. Melito, 62, is also a physician.