Crime & Safety

Two Men Charged in Megan Boken Murder

Two men are charged with the murder of Megan Boken, the Circuit Attorney announced Friday.

Two 18-year-old men are charged with the of Megan Boken, 23, of Wheaton, Missouri Circuit Court announced Friday. 

Keith V. Esters, 18, of Bel Ridge, MO is charged with a Class A felony of first-degree murder, two counts of armed criminal action and attempted robbery.

Johnathan Terrell Perkins, 18, of St. Louis is charged with the Class A felony of second-degree murder, two counts of armed criminal action and attempted robbery. 

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According to the charges, witnesses told officials they heard shots and saw someone running from the scene of the shooting. 

"Investigation into the shooting led to a cell phone that was connected to another robbery that occurred into the area. That investigation led to a witness who stated that her boyfriend, Keith Esters, addmitted to her that he was involved in the shooting of Ms. Boken. The witness also stated that her boyfriend and his cousin, Johnathan Perkins, made plans to drive to the Central West End and commit a robbery," the document states. 

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Perkins told St. Louis police he agreed to drive Esters to the area for a robbery, according to the statement. Perkins allegedly stopped the car to let Esters out for the robbery. He then allegedly parked the car within sight of the shooting, waited for Esters and drove him away from the scene. 

According to the statement, Esters told police he saw Megan Boken on her phone, and chose her as the target of a robbery. He then approached her with the gun and while trying to rob her, he shot her twice, the document states. 

Police took the  for questioning. 

Fox Chicago reported Monday night that 23-year-old Boken was talking on a cell phone to her mother when she was shot in her car.

She was in St. Louis to play in an alumni volleyball game at her alma mater, St. Louis University.

The newspaper also reported:

Witnesses told police they saw a man get out of her Volkswagen or open the door to the vehicle. Police said the two appeared to be arguing and shouting. The killer was seen firing two shots into the vehicle before leaving the scene, police said.

Check back with Patch for updates to this story.

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