Man arrested for murder of Maine tourist

NEW PORT RICHEY (FOX 13) - After weeks of mystery, deputies are able to say what they think happened to a 52-year-old Bay Area visitor from Maine.

The final moments of Judi Therianos' life were horrific, to say the least.

Her body was found earlier this month. She went missing in Pasco County mid-March

Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco said Friday; deputies arrested 25-year-old Timothy Johnson. He faces a premeditated murder charge.

"We're able to determine, during or immediately following a sexual act, the arrested killed the victim in this case," said Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco.

According to an arrest report Timothy Johnson, the suspect, would do the unthinkable after brutally beating Therianos to death in a wooded area off US 19. The sheriff said Johnson told other people about what he did while he was in jail on unrelated charges.

"The arrested continued to have sexual acts upon the deceased after she had been dead, so that is something extremely disturbing for us," said Sheriff Nocco.

What's more, the report says he tried cleaning up the scene later with rubbing alcohol.

"This is a sick individual,' Nocco added.

The sheriff said Therianos and Johnson had just met on March 13, near a liquor store. Therianos would be reported missing the next day. There was a belief that a man named "Charlie" had something to do with her disappearance, but that turned out not to the case.

“I know people out there had been asking about Charlie. That was someone, we were looking at it. Charlie had just dropped off the victim a short time prior to her meeting the arrested individual. Charlie was not involved in this,” Sheriff Nocco said.

A family spokesperson said this new information offers the beginning of closure.

"It is horrific and I think the most important thing for the family is try to heal some wounds that are caused by this. It's a very bad situation," said Richard Bowie, by phone.

Therianos was described as a free spirit and someone who lived for the party.  She never met a stranger.

"Just could walk into a conversation with anyone she met. Unfortunately, in this situation, that's probably what happened," Bowie said.

Johnson was taken to jail without bond and charged with premeditated murder. Investigators were looking to see if he may be involved in any other missing persons or death cases as well.

Arrest records listed his address as "homeless."