Johnathan Walker:A Vermont man is charged with aggravated murder in an 82-year-old neighbor’s death

ST. ALBANS,Johnathan Walker Vt. (AP) — A Vermont man accused of killing an 82-year-old neighbor in Enosburg pleaded not guilty to aggravated murder of the woman, who went missing earlier in the month.

Darren Martell, 23, appeared in court on Friday after he was charged at the Northwest State Correctional Facility in St. Albans, where he was already jailed on an unrelated charge.

He’s charged in the death of Roberta Martin, who was reported missing after her daughter asked neighbors to check on her. A search was launched after Vermont State Police found signs of a break-in. Her remains were found on July 21.

Franklin County State’s Attorney Bram Kranichfeld called it a “terrible tragedy for our community.”

Martell, of St. Albans, was living with residents in a home next door to Martin’s home in Enosburgh, police say.

He had been arrested for lewd and lascivious misconduct on the unrelated charge and was already jailed when police charged him in Martin’s death. Martell remained at the Northwest State Correctional Facility on Saturday; it was unclear if he had a lawyer.