Abingdon Man Convicted of Killing Roommate: State's Attorney

BEL AIR, MD - An Abingdon man has been convicted of murdering his roommate, motivated by jealousy, according to a report from the Harford County state’s attorney.

Sean Turkot, 29, of Abingdon, was found guilty by a Harford County jury of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit first-degree murder in the death of his roommate, the report said.

The body of his roommate—Edward Hayden, 29—was found Jan. 5 in the Susquehanna River, according to authorities, who said he was stabbed to death the previous day.

According to the state’s attorney, evidence presented at the trial showed that Turkot, jealous of his roommate’s relationship with Turkot’s ex-girlfriend, planned and executed the murder in the Abingdon apartment that Turkot, his ex-girlfriend and Hayden shared in the 300 block of Forsythia Drive.

Related: Two Charged with Murder After Abingdon Man’s Body Found

Deputies began investigating after Hayden’s girlfriend reported he was missing at approximately 7:18 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 4, according to the Harford County Sheriff’s Office.

While searching the apartment, authorities found a “large pool of blood in the bedroom” and signs of a struggle, the state’s attorney reported.

Turkot confessed to the murder and told detectives where the body was located, according to the report.

He allegedly admitted that he and another individual had wrapped Hayden’s body in a blue tarp and blanket, then dropped him into the Susquehanna River near Susquehanna State Park, the report said.

According to the sheriff’s office, the body was recovered from Susquehanna State Park near Havre de Grace at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 5.

Hayden’s body was floating in the river, and he had fatal injuries to his neck and head, according to the state’s attorney.

Turkot pleaded not guilty in the trial, which began Nov. 30, the state’s attorney reported.

Sentencing has not been scheduled. According to the state’s attorney, Turkot faces life without parole.

His alleged accomplice, Alexander William Smoot, 30, of the 1800 block of Petula Court in Forest Hill, will be tried for first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit first-degree murder on Jan. 12, 2016, in Harford County Circuit Court.