A chilling discovery behind a London apartment building has led to the arrest of a 55-year-old man. The case centers around the remains of Jessica Rose Bakker, a 37-year-old mother, found discarded near a dumpster on February 17th.
Court documents detail a disturbing allegation: Rondell Joseph Jones is accused of placing Bakker’s body inside garbage bags and leaving them at the rear of the building on King Street. The timeframe for this alleged act stretches between February 4th and the day her body was found.
Jones, a resident of the three-story walk-up, was taken into custody on Sunday and appeared in court Monday. He remains in custody, awaiting his next court date on Thursday, as investigators piece together the events leading to this tragic outcome.
A neighbor, wishing to remain anonymous, revealed Jones had been staying with a woman in the building for several weeks prior to the discovery. The grim find prompted a significant police presence, with residents instructed to remain indoors while detectives worked the scene.
The area around the dumpster is frequented by individuals searching for recyclables, adding a layer of complexity to the investigation. Police replaced the dumpster, which was missing a lid, with a new one, and meticulously canvassed the building, seeking any information from residents.
One resident expressed frustration, pointing to non-functioning security cameras as a potential missed opportunity. Had the cameras been operational, they believe crucial evidence might have been captured.
Bakker’s mother, Angela-Rose Bakker, described her daughter as a deeply compassionate and selfless individual. “She would always give the shirt off her back,” she recalled, emphasizing Jessica’s unwavering kindness and non-judgmental nature.
The two hadn’t seen each other since last May, and Bakker’s four young children, all under the age of eleven, were in the care of other family members at the time of her death. Her mother is left grappling with the loss of a “pure soul” and a “huge heart.”
A funeral service for Jessica Rose Bakker is scheduled for Thursday at 1 p.m. at the Kettle Point United Church, followed by burial at the Kettle Point Cemetery. The community mourns the loss of a woman remembered for her generosity and warmth.
While the investigation is ongoing, police have assigned the case to the major crime section. They have not yet determined a cause of death or ruled the case a homicide. Investigators are urging anyone who may have interacted with Bakker since February 1st to come forward.
Police emphasize that even seemingly insignificant details could prove vital to unraveling the circumstances surrounding her death. Notably, Bakker had not been reported missing prior to the discovery of her remains.
This tragic event occurred around the same time another body was recovered from the Thames River near Harris Park. However, police have stated that death is not currently considered suspicious and have not released the identity of the deceased.
Detectives continue to appeal to the public, hoping that someone holds the key to understanding the events that led to this heartbreaking loss. Every piece of information, no matter how small, is being carefully considered.
