WBTW

Man charged in 4 NC murders, including ‘Next Top Model’ teen’s death

Police have arrested a 19-year-old man in the deaths of three people, including a contestant on “America’s Next Top Model,” whose bodies were found Tuesday in a home in Charlotte.

Police told local media outlets that 19-year-old Emmanuel Jesus Rangel has been charged with three counts of first-degree murder. He is also charged in a weekend murder near Charlotte, police said.

19-year-old Mirjana Puhar, who was a model from Serbia, was among those found dead on Tuesday.

The other victims found late Tuesday with Puhar have been identified as 23-year-old Jonathan Cosme Alvarado and 21 year-old Jusmar Isiah Gonzaga-Garcia.

Puhar was a contestant on the 21st season of “America’s Next Top Model.” After learning of her death Wednesday, season 21 winner Keith Carlos tweeted, “I Love You @mirjanapuhar #RIP #ANTMCycle21.”

A preliminary investigation indicates the victims and the suspect knew each other, and the shootings were drug-related.

Rangel also has been charged with a killing at a motel in Matthews, near Charlotte, on Sunday.

Matthews Police Officer Tim Aycock says Rangel is one of three people charged in the death of Rosool Jaleel Harrell of Charlotte, who was killed at the motel.

It was not immediately clear how the two cases were related. It was not clear if Rangel has an attorney.

WNCN contributed to this report.