BALTIMORE – Police have arrested a man for Double murder at Middle River of a grandmother and her granddaughter in July, according to the Baltimore County Police Department. Bryan Cherry, 36, was charged with first-degree murder.
On Sunday, July 7, Baltimore County officials found 75-year-old Iona Sellers and 29-year-old Autumn Harvey dead after a call. The couple had been living together in a home on Taos Circle.
According to police, both apparently suffered blunt force injuries to the upper body.
Cherry is currently being held without bail at the Baltimore County Detention Center.
“We’re going to see this through to the end and not stop until he’s locked up for good,” said Devin Harney, Autumn’s cousin.
Harvey moved in with her grandmother after her grandfather died a few years ago.
The victims’ relatives said they felt a sense of justice for the first time in more than a month when they saw the face of the accused behind the crime.
“I feel like it hit me harder today than it has all time,” Devin said.
Devin says a wave of relief washed over him when he learned that 36-year-old Bryan Cherry had been charged in connection with the Taos Circle case. The bond was as strong as that between siblings.
“At the end of the day, I’m so relieved and happy that we have a chance to get justice,” Devin said.
Devin described her in July as a friendly person with an infectious laugh. “She was a little shy, but once you got to know her … she was just great,” he said.
History of violence
The suspect is no stranger to law enforcement and has a long, violent criminal history.
Baltimore County Police Detective Trae Corbin said DNA evidence would help link Cherry to their investigation.
“There is a separate investigation going on in Baltimore City for a murder he was arrested for on July 14,” Corbin said. “After we had our DNA hit, we were able to run it through the system and determine that this person had already been incarcerated for another crime.”
The Baltimore City Police Department confirmed that the victim in the July 14 case was 38-year-old Sierra Johnson.
Shortly before 9 a.m., officers headed to the 800 block of Abbott Court to investigate.
According to investigators, Johnson was found dead with head injuries.
At the scene, police found Cherry nearby in the 1300 block of Homewood Avenue and arrested him.
The suspect is accused of physically assaulting Johnson, resulting in her death, police said.
Cherry has been held in jail without bail since then pending trial in the Johnson case.
However, a hearing on Cherry’s bail in the county’s murder case is scheduled for Friday.
In both jurisdictions, Cherry is charged with first-degree murder.
