Exterminator accused of killing doctor found burned, bound

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PHILADELPHIA – Police say an exterminator has been charged with strangling a young Philadelphia doctor found bound and burned in her city row home.

Homicide unit Capt. James Clark said 36-year-old Jason Smith was arrested Wednesday night at his home in Levittown, about 25 miles northeast of the city. He’s charged in the killing 35-year-old Dr. Melissa Ketunuti.

Police said Smith had an appointment at Ketunuti’s home on the day she was killed. They said he strangled her with a rope after the two got in an argument.

Ketunuti was a second-year infectious-diseases fellow and researcher at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

Her burning body was found in her basement Monday afternoon with bound ankles and wrists.

Smith has been charged with murder, abuse of a corpse and other counts.