Portland Police Arrested 2 People This Month for Separate Murders

Portland Police arrested two people for murder this month, for separate cases involving a man in an apartment and a homeless woman.

What Are the Details of the Homeless Woman's Murder?

Investigators have been looking into the death of an unhoused woman, 23-year-old Bethany Kelley, since her body was found laying on the ground on Kennebec Street near Chestnut Street on Friday, November 18th, 2022. People walking in the area came across her body and called police.  An autopsy revealed that her death was a homicide. Officials have not released the cause of Kelley's death or any possible motive for the killing.

On Friday, February 21st, Frederick Johnson, 45, of Portland was arrested by Portland Police on a warrant charging him with the murder of Kelley. At the time of his arrest, Johnson was already in the Aroostook County Jail in Houlton, on unrelated charges.

Where Was the Second Crime Committed ?

In another case, Portland Police were called to an apartment house located at 263 Cumberland Avenue just after 7 pm on February 17th for the report of a disturbance. When they arrived, officers found the body of Christopher Godin, 58, lying in a hallway. A second person, Jonathan Alas, 27, was found in another part of the same building suffering from serious injuries. He was transported to Maine Medical Center by ambulance.

The next day, Godin's body was autopsied at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta where his death was ruled a homicide. Alas, who has been hospitalized since the night of the incident was charged with murder on February 21st for the death of Godin.

Have There Been a Lot of Murders in Portland Over the Last Year?

Interim Assistant Chief Robert Martin says Portland Police have investigated seven homicides since February 14th, 2022. Six of those cases have been 'brought to closure' with the arrests of nine people connected to the deaths. Portland Police currently have 14 unsolved homicides, dating back to 1985. Each of those cases is assigned to a detective who continues to work toward closure for the victims' families.

Investigators urge anyone with information in any of these cases to contact them at 207-874-8575.