By Stephen Stirling and Jeremy Walsh
A Ridgewood man was arrested Tuesday after allegedly confessing to committing the grisly murder of a Pace University student, telling police that he strangled his victim and watched a movie next to the body before looting the apartment, the New York Post reported.
Jeromie Cancel, 22, was arrested early Tuesday morning at his father's home in Ridgewood and was expected to be charged in Manhattan Criminal Court Wednesday morning with first- and second-degree murder, police said.
The victim, 19 year-old Kevin Pravia, was discovered at 6:15 p.m. Sunday night, lying face up in his bed in his apartment at 239 W. 15th St. in Manhattan, police said. He had been strangled with an electric cord and a plastic bag had been crammed in his mouth, the Post said.
Pravia, who was from Dalton, Mass., was last seen alive around 5:30 a.m. Saturday getting into a taxi at Gold and John streets in Manhattan, police said.
Cancel told police that he met Pravia in Union Square at about 6 a.m. Sunday and went with him back to the Chelsea apartment, the Post said.
The suspect allegedly told police he attacked Pravia after the 19-year-old fell asleep, the Post reported. He also allegedly told police that following the slaying, he watched the movie “Saw” on Pravia's laptop before making off with Pravia's cell phone, iPod and laptop computer, according to the newspaper.
Pravia's friends set up a memorial page on the social networking Web site facebook.com, where many of his high school friends sent messages mourning him.
“You are such a phenomenal guy, and all I ever wanted was for you to be happy,” wrote Patrick Quinn, 23, of Manhattan. “You are so beautiful inside and out. I miss you already.”
Reach reporter Jeremy Walsh by e-mail at jwalsh@timesledger.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 154.
