San Diego Man Arrested in Killing of Woman Found in Hotel Shower

A sex offender fugitive from San Diego has been arrested on a murder charge in connection to a woman found dead in a shower at a downtown hotel.

Police said they arrested 40-year-old Jason Bradwell Lewis in the 500 block of West Broadway on Friday morning. He is due in court on Monday to be arraigned.

The woman, identified as a 26-year-old Jhordann Reann Rust of Wisconsin, was found dead just after midnight Tuesday at the 500 West Hotel, which also serves as a hostel.

The hotel-hostel is located in the same area where Lewis was arrested. It wasn’t immediately clear if Lewis had retained an attorney.

For just under two years, Lewis had been wanted by California authorities for violating conditions of his parole. He is a registered sex offender with a criminal history that includes sexual battery, burglary, grand theft and felony domestic violence. Crime Stoppers posted a bulletin in January 2014 to warn the public to be on the lookout for Lewis.

Rust was found not breathing in what police described as a “common shower area” on the hotel's second floor. She had suffered blunt force trauma to her upper torso and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police described Lewis as an acquaintance of Rust. The suspect and victim had been staying in Room 316, which is now marked with chemical residue used by detectives to lift fingerprints.

Another third floor guest, who did not want to be identified, told NBC 7 the day before Rust's death, Lewis and the victim had an argument in front of the hotel. The witness said Lewis threatened to smash Rust's head while grabbing her by her backpack.

No further details on the circumstances of the killing were not immediately revealed.

Anyone with information should call the San Diego Police Department’s homicide unit at 619-531-2293 or Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477.

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