Man charged, victim identified in Sumter County 'Jane Doe' truck-stop murder April 2013 homicide investigation solved, deputies say
Martha Jane Wever.
BUSHNELL, Fla. – Sumter County deputies announced on Wednesday they arrested the man wanted in the April "Jane Doe" murder at a truck stop in Bushnell.
Ralph Penrod, 62, has been charged with murder after his Tuesday arrest at his Tavares home in the death of Martha Jane Wever.
Deputies said two men searching for a lost wallet found the body of a woman in a wooded area near State Road 44 and Interstate 75 in Wildwood in April 2013. Authorities were not able to identify the woman and released a composite sketch of "Jane Doe."
Kentucky State Police notified Sumter County Sheriff's Office in November 2013 that their "Jane Doe" may be Wever, who was reported missing in Kentucky. Once SCSO identified the woman, it led them to arrest Penrod.
No other details about the homicide investigation were released, other than the motive of the murder being financial gain.
Copyright 2014 by ClickOrlando.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
13-year-old girl killed in Christmas day shooting ▶ 0:47
13-year-old girl killed in Christmas day shooting
Volusia Sheriff's Office rescues boy from pond ▶ 0:51
Volusia Sheriff's Office rescues boy from pond
Police and fishermen help rescue stranded French bulldog ▶ 0:47
Police and fishermen help rescue stranded French bulldog
Cocoa Beach police to Surfing Santas attendees: Park where you should, for goodness sake ▶ 0:53
Cocoa Beach police to Surfing Santas attendees: Park where you should, for goodness sake
Volusia Sheriff: Drunk man broke into home while girl was alone ▶ 1:19
Volusia Sheriff: Drunk man broke into home while girl was alone
Judge sets bond for woman accused of pushing child under water at Gaylord Palms ▶ 0:44
Judge sets bond for woman accused of pushing child under water at Gaylord Palms
Lake County 4-H ‘Goat Busters’ track down escaped goat in woods ▶ 0:46
Lake County 4-H ‘Goat Busters’ track down escaped goat in woods
Artifacts removed from Pulse site for preservation as building nears demolition date ▶ 0:58
Artifacts removed from Pulse site for preservation as building nears demolition date
‘Faith, hope, pixie dust:’ Central Floridians test luck in $1.6B Powerball race ▶ 1:14
‘Faith, hope, pixie dust:’ Central Floridians test luck in $1.6B Powerball race
Did Florida Congress members keep pay during government shutdown? ▶ 0:28
Did Florida Congress members keep pay during government shutdown?
Persistent internet sales pitches cause frustration among St. Cloud homeowners ▶ 0:49
Persistent internet sales pitches cause frustration among St. Cloud homeowners
Volusia sheriff confronts suspect accused of defrauding over 100 students of overseas trip ▶ 0:34
Volusia sheriff confronts suspect accused of defrauding over 100 students of overseas trip
✨What is the Merry Menagerie at Disney’s Animal Kingdom? ▶ 1:21
✨What is the Merry Menagerie at Disney’s Animal Kingdom?
Florida families allege Hurricane Roofer cashes checks but failed to deliver roof replacements ▶ 0:37
Florida families allege Hurricane Roofer cashes checks but failed to deliver roof replacements
Did Florida Congress members keep pay during government shutdown? ▶ 0:28
Did Florida Congress members keep pay during government shutdown?
Surfing Santa at Cocoa Beach ▶ 1:37
Surfing Santa at Cocoa Beach
Drone deliveries coming to Central Florida ▶ 0:27
Drone deliveries coming to Central Florida
Looking for festive fun this season? Here are 6 things to do this weekend! ▶ 0:48
Looking for festive fun this season? Here are 6 things to do this weekend!
Florida license plate frame law’s confusion forces state to clarify the rules ▶ 0:45
Florida license plate frame law’s confusion forces state to clarify the rules
Man accused of dumping missing Brevard County woman’s body after sex, fatal overdose in 2023 ▶ 0:55
Man accused of dumping missing Brevard County woman’s body after sex, fatal overdose in 2023
Ocoee woman accused of sending sexual videos of 13-year-old to prison inmate ▶ 1:04
Ocoee woman accused of sending sexual videos of 13-year-old to prison inmate
‘Breath of fresh air:’ Neighbors relieved as Brevard County condemns home of woman who dumped feces in yards ▶ 0:50
‘Breath of fresh air:’ Neighbors relieved as Brevard County condemns home of woman who dumped feces in yards
Central Florida congestion woes increase as construction goes on ▶ 1:03
Central Florida congestion woes increase as construction goes on
Prosecutor pinned for ‘oversight’ after man accused in Orlando jogging attack takes plea deal ▶ 0:55
Prosecutor pinned for ‘oversight’ after man accused in Orlando jogging attack takes plea deal
Florida’s bear hunt is underway, but FWC is not actively saying how many have been killed ▶ 0:52
Florida’s bear hunt is underway, but FWC is not actively saying how many have been killed
Previous photo Next photo 