Murder, Abuse Of Corpse Charges Filed In Temple Student's Death

PHILADELPHIA, PA – Murder and related charges have been filed against a 29-year-old Philadelphia man in connection with the disappearance and death of 22-year-old Temple University student and Montgomery County resident Jenna Burleigh, according to Philadelphia Police.

Joshua Hupperterz has been charged with murder, abuse of a corpse, tampering with evidence, and possession of an instrument of crime, according to court records.

In a separate charging document, police filed drug charges against him, as drugs were reportedly found in his North 16th Street home during a search.

Hupperterz was denied bail on the murder and related charges, according to court documents.

His preliminary hearing is scheduled for Sept. 20, court records show.

Police said Burleigh's body was found Sept. 2 on Hupperterz's grandmother's property in Hawley, Wayne County, Pennsylvania, about 140 miles from Temple.

Police said Burleigh, of Harleysville, appears to have died at Hupperterz's North 16th Street residence and her body was first taken to a home in Jenkintown, then to Hawley.

Investigators said Hupperterz gave statements admitting to elements of the crime.

Through a speedy investigation, police recovered surveillance video that showed Burleigh and a male, later identified as Hupperterz, leaving Pub Webb on the 1500 block Cecil B. Moore Avenue near Temple's campus, and walking west towards 16th Street at approximately 2:08 a.m. Thursday, Aug 31.

Investigators then made contact with Hupperterz by phone and asked him what he knew about Jenna’s disappearance, according to police. Police said Hupperterz claimed that was so drunk when he left the bar he had no memory of who he was with.

Authorities then spoke with Hupperterz's roommate Friday, Sep.t 1, police said. The roommate gave investigators information on Hupperterz appearance and told them when he last spoke with Hupperterz, police said.

Investigators obtained a search warrant was obtained for Hupperterz residence the 17000 block of North 16th Street and authorities discovered evidence into the investigation, as well as narcotics, police said.

Police said the investigation is ongoing and more information will be released as it is learned.

Burleigh's father reported her missing to Lower Salford police at about 8:23 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 31, police said.

Burleigh was a commuter student to Temple, according to police. Her father told investigators he met her for dinner Aug. 31 and she told him that she was going out with a group of friends that night, police said.

Burleigh told her dad planned to stay overnight with one a friend, police said.

He then dropped her off at a friend’s house in the Temple area and proceeded home, police said.

Police said her father then lost contact with her, which they said was "very unusual."

The father then went to Temple University Friday to ask about her and learned she did not show up for class Friday, police said.

Her father posted on Facebook at about 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 2 saying his daughter was in heaven now.

Images via Temple University Police, Philadelphia Police