Suspect Arrested In Cecil County Early Sunday Morning Homicide

(Elkton, MD.) — Maryland State Police have made an arrest in the apparent homicide reported early Sunday morning in Cecil County.

The suspect is identified as Jacob Michael Johnston, 25, of Elkton, MD. Jacob is charged with the murder of Karen Johnston Colcough, 60, of Elkton, MD. After consulting with the Cecil County State’s Attorney’s Office, he is being charged with first- and second-degree murder, first- and second-degree assault. Jacob was arrested and taken to the Cecil County Detention Center and held with no bond.

Shortly after 11:40 a.m. on Sunday, October 21, 2018, troopers of the North East Barrack responded to a home on the 500 block of Augustine Herman Highway in Elkton, MD, for a report of an apparent homicide. Colcough was found unresponsive with obvious trauma.

The preliminary investigation reveals family of Colcough went to the home on Augustine Herman Highway to check on the welfare of Colcough after not being heard or seen for some time. They called 9-1-1 after finding Colcough unresponsive inside the home.

Investigators from the Maryland State Police Homicide Unit arrived to take the lead in the investigation. Upon their arrival, Colcough was found deceased inside the residence with obvious signs of trauma. Her body has been transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore for an autopsy.

The motive has not yet been determined in this case. Maryland State Police investigators are still actively investigating.