Philadelphia Police Arrest Killer Who Stuffed Woman’s Body Inside Garbage Can

Philadelphia Police Arrest Killer Who Stuffed Woman's Body Inside Garbage Can
Philadelphia Police

PHILADELPHIA, P.A. — A woman found dead inside a garbage can last month has been identified, and a suspect is now in custody, police said.

Officers responded to the 700 block of North 47th Street at 9:42 a.m. on January 30 after receiving a report of a body on the highway. Upon arrival, they discovered a deceased individual later identified as 54-year-old Deborah Leatherberry, of the 6100 block of Wheeler Street.

Medic 9 pronounced her dead at 9:51 a.m. The medical examiner determined she died from a gunshot wound to the left temple.

Following an investigation, police identified a suspect, 61-year-old Ricardo Ponds of the 400 block of Lancaster Avenue. SEPTA officers arrested him without incident Tuesday evening at 15th and Market.

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Ponds is facing charges including murder and violations of the Uniform Firearms Act.