Manhunt is on for boyfriend charged with murdering his girlfriend and her 11-year-old daughter
Yesterday, the Boone County Sheriff’s Office headquartered in Columbia, Missouri, announced that they were actively searching for a local man charged with murdering his girlfriend and his girlfriend’s daughter. The manhunt for murder suspect JT McLean began on August 23 when police shared the tragic news that victims Allison Abitz, 43, and her 11-year-old daughter, Jozee Abitz, were found dead in their home in the 7500 block of Lavender Drive, just south of Columbia.
Boone County deputies found the two during a welfare check after receiving a call on August 22 from a concerned family member who had been unable to contact the mother and daughter.
Allison Abitz, 43, the “outstanding” second grade teacher at Bush Elementary in Fulton, and her daughter, Jozee Abitz, were found dead Sunday night in their home just south of Columbia, according to the Boone County Sheriff’s Office. ~ Lawofficer.com
Investigators soon learned that their suspect, JT McLean, was the long-term boyfriend of Allison. Their investigation revealed that McLean was the last person known to be in contact with both Allison and her daughter at their home on Lavender Court.
During the investigation, officials developed probable cause and came to believe that McLean murdered Allison and Jozee. There is no motive for the murders.
On August 25, the Boone County Prosecuting Attorney charged 45-year-old JT McLean with two counts of Murder in the 1st Degree. A warrant was then issued for McLean’s arrest.
Two orders of protection have been taken out against McLean since 2017, and he is on probation for violating one of them, according to ABC News.
McLean’s ex-wife reportedly went into hiding after hearing about the murders of Allison and her little girl. The ex, who will remain unidentified for safety purposes, told The New York Post that she fears for her life and isn’t surprised to hear about her ex being suspected of a double homicide. The current husband of McLean’s ex told the Post that what happened to Allison and her daughter did not seem out of character for McLean.
“I’ve dealt with him for the entire relationship … now we’ve been in and out of court for the past four years,” he said. “Yeah, he’s threatened to stab me in the face before and threatened to break every finger I had.” ~ New York Post
According to the Sheriff’s Office in Columbia, McLean previously changed his name and has been known to go by the names of John McLean, Steven Nagy, and Steven McLean.
Investigators have been unable to locate McLean, who was last known to reside on County Road 355, Fulton, Missouri. McLean, who is an over the road truck driver by trade, has ties to:
- Las Vegas, Nevada
- Chicago, Illinois
- St. Peter, Minnesota
- Columbia, Missouri
- Fulton, Missouri
Officials described him as a white male with a fair complexion, approximately 5’9” tall and weighing approximately 210 pounds. McLean has green eyes and brown hair. He was last known to have grown his hair out; however, he has also been known to shave his head bald in the past.
On August 30, the Boone County Sheriff’s Office announced that all vehicles known to be registered or owned by McLean have been located and that his current mode of travel remains unknown. Officials have released several photos believed to be of McLean at various times over the last several years – with and without facial hair and with different haircuts.
Check out McLean’s varied appearances in the slideshow below
Anyone seeing McLean is asked to please contact local law enforcement to report the sighting.
Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of JT McLean or this investigation is asked to contact the Boone County Sheriff’s Office through Boone County Joint Communications by calling 573-442-6131 or 311.
Those wishing to remain anonymous may provide information anonymously by calling CrimeStoppers at 573-875-TIPS (8477).
(Source: Boone County Sheriff’s Office)
Posted by Richard Webster, Ace News Today / Follow Richard on Facebook and Twitter
