CHARLESTON, SC (WCSC) - Authorities say the ex-girlfriend of the man accused of murdering a woman and her daughter during a domestic incident played a key role in his capture.

Berkeley County sheriff’s deputies told Reporter Harve Jacobs a former girlfriend of 22-year-old Jacob Philip tipped authorities off to his location near the oceanfront area of Virginia Beach.

Philip is charged with two counts of murder after authorities say he confessed to killing his girlfriend, 26-year-old Ashley Kaney, and her 8-year-old daughter, Riley Burdick, during a domestic incident in their Kershaw Road home, located in the Sangaree area of Summerville.

Sheriff’s deputies said Philip returned to Virginia Beach, his hometown, after committing the crime. Once there, authorities say Philip ditched his car in a parking deck before stealing another vehicle, which he later wrecked before driving off.

Virginia Beach police arrested him after spotting him inside the stolen vehicle outside a gas station on Virginia Beach Boulevard around 10:30 p.m. Tuesday. He was charged with grand larceny auto, and then confessed to the murders in Summerville, according to police.

Two deputies are headed to Virginia to complete their investigation while authorities work on the next steps for extradition.

The victims were found inside their home on 302 Kershaw Road around 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday. Deputies responded to the home after a social worker with the Berkeley County School District went there to inquire about Burdick, who had missed school at Sangaree Intermediate the last two days. When no one answered, the social worker called authorities.

Both victims were found in beds in separate rooms. Berkeley County Coroner Bill Salisbury said Burdick was strangled to death. The autopsy results for Kaney are still pending.

Philip is a student at the U.S. Navy Nuclear Power Training Command at the Naval Weapons Station in Goose Creek, where Kaney worked nearby as a waitress at The Dive Bar and Grill.

Investigators have not said exactly when the murders happened.

"This is an unspeakable tragedy. On behalf of the district, I offer my condolences, and our hearts and prayers are with Riley's and Ms. Kaney's loved ones and the entire Sangaree community," said Berkeley County School District Superintendent Dr. Rodney Thompson.

Salisbury credited the sheriff's office for their work in the investigation, "I would like to commend the Berkeley County Sheriff's Office for the outstanding job on this investigation. Captain Rick Ollic of the Sheriff's Office put together a team of investigators from nine agencies and an arrest was made within hours."

Source: http://www.live5news.com/story/23591491/man-detained-in-connection-to-2-found-dead-at-summerville-home

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