Slain Jogger's Husband Indicted for Murder
Brad Cooper, whose wife Nancy was found strangled in July, is arrested.
Oct. 28, 2008 — -- Brad Cooper will be arraigned later today on charges of first-degree murder of his wife, Nancy Cooper, who was found strangled in July in an undeveloped subdivision near her North Carolina home.
Cooper was arrested Monday at his Cary home and held without bond at the Wake County Jail, Cary Police Chief Pat Bazemore said in a press conference Monday night.
He was not given an opportunity to turn himself in to authorities, Cooper's lawyers told ABC News affiliate WTVD. A grand jury handed down the indictment on Monday, according to court filings obtained by ABCNews.com.
Repeated calls to Cooper's attorneys by ABCNews.com were not returned.
In a written statement, lawyer's representing Nancy's family expressed their gratitude toward the Cary investigators.
"The Rentz and Lister families are grateful that an arrest has been made and that Bella and Katie are safe with them in Canada," said Alice Stubbs, the family's attorney. "The Cary Police Department has done an outstanding job with the investigation."
Bazemore also lauded her police force for their dedication to the Cooper case.
"With the possible exception of saving a life I can't think of anything more important than investigating the loss of a life," said Bazemore.
"This was never a case of a jogger being randomly attacked but of domestic violence of the very worst kid," added Bazemore, reassuring the Cary community of their safety.
Nancy's father, Garry Rentz, spoke to reporters via telephone during the press conference, expressing his gratitude for the hard work of the Cary Police Department.
"Today our family needs to say thank you very clearly to all those people who stood with us and led us and supported us during the most complex 108 days of our history," said Rentz.
Under North Carolina law, Cooper could face life in prison without parole or death. He will make his first appearance in court tomorrow, Bazemore said.
The police department took no questions regarding the case and said that this will be their last briefing on the murder, turning all questions over the North Carolina District Attorney's office, which will handle the proceedings from here on out.
