Elmore sheriff: Man charged in Anna Cardwell killing staked out home before attack

WETUMPKA, Al.

Josh Caspari

Elmore County Sheriff Bill Franklin says two are in custody in the Wednesday shooting death of 20-year-old Anna Cardwell in her home off Hickory Drive in the Flatwood Community.

Josh Caspari, 22, of Tallassee, was arrested Thursday night and charged with murder after confessing to the killing, the sheriff said at a morning news conference.

In addition, Cody Abernathy, 22, of Tallassee, also was arrested Thursday and charged with first-degree hindering prosecution.

Caspari was a friend of Cardwell's, Franklin said.  Investigators say Cardwell was steering a mutual acquaintance away from a relationship with Caspari.

According to Franklin, Caspari admitted he was dropped off in a wooded area situated in a ditch near the residence of Cardwell, where he waited for Cardwell's mother to leave.

Once Cardwell was alone in the house, Caspari rang the doorbell and was let in by the victim. According to Franklin, the two argued and the victim was shot twice in the back and once in the shoulder.

Franklin said Cardwell then tried to run through the kitchen to a back door, but Caspari caught her, pulled her back into the house and shot her in the head, killing her.

Following the murder, Franklin said Caspari took the victim's keys and left in her 2006 Honda Civic. He later abandoned the car at the Wetumpka Winn-Dixie.

Caspari also admitted to stalking the home on Friday, Feb. 10, in the same wooded area, according to Franklin. Casapri said  he brought a mask, knife, gun and gas can to the area that day, but did not approach the house.

Franklin believes he did not approach the residence Friday because Cardwell was never left alone in the home. Authorities continue investigating.

Caspari confessed to the murder after authorities confronted the suspect with evidence found during a search of Caspari's apartment conducted Thursday morning.

Authorities removed 59 items from the apartment  as evidence, including muddy clothing, a weapon similar to the one used in the killing and illegal steroids.

Franklin believes several other criminal charges will stem from the search.

Cody Abernathy

Franklin said Abernathy drove Caspari to the wooded area on Wednesday as well as Friday. When questioned about this on two separate occasions, Abernathy lied to authorities about his whereabouts.

During a third questioning, Abernathy admitted to driving the suspect to the area both days.

Caspari's bond was set at $250,000. Abernathy's cash bond is set at $15,000.

Authorities do not expect additional arrests.

Cardwell was a graduate of Holtville High School Class of 2010 and was a sophomore student at Southern Union Junior College.