Based off of forensic evidence and interviews, Wheeling Police have filed murder charges against Branden Justen Ensminger, 27, of Wellsburg, in connection to the homicide of 21-year-old Rayna Shae Vaughan, who was found dead in her South Wabash Street apartment on March 21.

Ensminger was arrested two days after the incident on charges of contempt and has been in jail ever since.

According to Chief Schwertfeger, Vaughan and Ensminger resided together at the time, and they were acquaintances but that Ensminger is not the father of Vaughn’s two-year-old girl, who was found unharmed in the home after the incident, and is currently doing well.

He remains in the Northern Regional Jail with no bond.

If convicted, Ensminger could face life in prison.