Arrest made in 2008 murder

Monroe County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Detectives this week charged Keith Devon White, 31, of Marathon with murder in the 2008 death of 48-year-old Beth Neumeier, also of Marathon.

The charges, filed Wednesday, June 5, followed an intensive investigation that included the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the Office of the State Attorney, according to a news release from Sheriff’s Office spokesman Adam Linhardt.

“This is another example of the partnerships between the Sheriff’s Office, FDLE and the State Attorney’s Office,” said Sheriff Rick Ramsay. “We never give up on these cases, and we will continue to seek justice no matter how long it takes.”

Neumeier was found beaten to death on May 4, 2008, near 24th Street in Marathon, reports state.

Detectives and Sheriff’s Office partners used DNA evidence, conducted many interviews and followed extensive leads while investigating Neumeier’s death, Linhardt said.

Neumeier was 48 when she was beaten to death; her body was found in a vacant lot under a mulch pile next door to 297 24th St. in Marathon. Her face was severely damaged during the attack, but she was identified by fingerprints, Linhardt said.

Neumeier was living in the Marathon area at the time of her death. Detectives followed extensive leads and interviewed many people throughout during the course of the investigation, but had not been able to make an arrest in the case.

White is being held at the Monroe County Detention without bond.