Cleo Hermon Brown, 50, of Hagerstown, has been extradited from Pennsylvania to face charges in Washington County for the murder of his live-in girlfriend, Renee Elizabeth Shoemaker, 57. The incident occurred in late April at the couple’s home. Brown is charged with first-degree and second-degree murder.
Shoemaker was found dead with multiple stab wounds in her home on McDowell Avenue after police were called by a concerned family member. The murder weapon, a knife, was discovered near her body. Shoemaker’s vehicle was also reported missing but later located in Harrisburg, PA, where Brown was arrested on unrelated charges.
During his arrest, Brown admitted to entering Shoemaker’s home and stabbing her after observing her with another man. He claimed he left the scene believing she was still alive. Brown was found with clothes stained with what appeared to be blood and had injuries consistent with his account of breaking into the home.
Brown was held without bond after a bond review hearing and faces a life sentence if convicted of first-degree murder.
