News
Photographer Anthony Joseph Frederick Charged With Porn Star Taylor Summers Murder
Published: Mar 29, 2004 - 01:36 AM
NORRISTOWN, Pa. - Authorities charged a photographer with fatally stabbing a porn actress and said they believe a sexual bondage fantasy might have fueled the attack. Photographer Anthony Joseph Frederick was last seen with Natel King, whose body was found dumped in the woods, authorities said. He was charged Wednesday with murder, abuse of a corpse and possession of a knife, and was held without bail, prosecutors said. As he was led from a courthouse, Frederick told reporters he was innocent.
King, 23, who was also known by the stage name Taylor Sumers, died of multiple stab wounds to the chest, neck and hands, prosecutor Bruce Castor said.
Her body was wrapped in a blue drape backdrop similar to the type used by photographers, and she was found with a gagging device and a leather strap attached to her head.
"Obviously, she put up a fight against her attacker," Castor said at a news conference.
Castor said investigators believe she may have been killed "as part of a sexual bondage fantasy" or perhaps in a dispute over money. Authorities said it was not clear exactly where and when the killing took place. King had been missing for more than three weeks.
Castor said Frederick, 46, was also charged with making false statements to police.
Jennifer Mitkus, 29, was charged with making false statements to police and hindering apprehension. Authorities said she was Frederick's assistant.
It was not immediately clear whether Frederick or Mitkus had lawyers.
Frederick was arrested around midnight Tuesday, less than a day after King's body was found in a rocky, heavily wooded area near the Schuylkill River in suburban Philadelphia, Castor said.
Frederick allegedly told investigators he took 20 digital photos of King on Feb. 29, and said she left after being paid $900. Authorities said photos Frederick provided show King displaying bondage paraphernalia similar to the leather device found with her body.
The victim's father, Daniel King, told The Associated Press by phone from his home in Ontario, Canada, that her family was aware of her adult film work, adding she was earning money for college.
"We did not approve of it, but Natel was Natel - she was a very strong, very business-type person," he said. "She was also very emotional, very loving, very close to her family."
Her body was wrapped in a blue drape backdrop similar to the type used by photographers, and she was found with a gagging device and a leather strap attached to her head.
"Obviously, she put up a fight against her attacker," Castor said at a news conference.
Castor said investigators believe she may have been killed "as part of a sexual bondage fantasy" or perhaps in a dispute over money. Authorities said it was not clear exactly where and when the killing took place. King had been missing for more than three weeks.
Castor said Frederick, 46, was also charged with making false statements to police.
Jennifer Mitkus, 29, was charged with making false statements to police and hindering apprehension. Authorities said she was Frederick's assistant.
It was not immediately clear whether Frederick or Mitkus had lawyers.
Frederick was arrested around midnight Tuesday, less than a day after King's body was found in a rocky, heavily wooded area near the Schuylkill River in suburban Philadelphia, Castor said.
Frederick allegedly told investigators he took 20 digital photos of King on Feb. 29, and said she left after being paid $900. Authorities said photos Frederick provided show King displaying bondage paraphernalia similar to the leather device found with her body.
The victim's father, Daniel King, told The Associated Press by phone from his home in Ontario, Canada, that her family was aware of her adult film work, adding she was earning money for college.
"We did not approve of it, but Natel was Natel - she was a very strong, very business-type person," he said. "She was also very emotional, very loving, very close to her family."
