ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The family of a woman who was stabbed to death in St. Petersburg said they're "shocked" a family friend has been arrested for her murder.
On Wednesday, St. Petersburg Police announced they've charged 23-year-old Ivan Edward with first-degree murder in connection to the death of Kelli Fisher.
Fisher's aunt Jennette Smith and sister Sarah Richardson spoke exclusively with 10 Tampa Bay on Thursday, reacting to the arrest.
"I just couldn't imagine him doing something like that," Smith said. "I just can't imagine why."
Smith said Edward was like family to Fisher.
"She called him her son," Smith said. "He was the boyfriend to one of her daughters like five or six years ago."
Fisher's sister, Sarah Richardson, said she and her daughter were also close with Edward.
"We've never known him to be violent, so for a stabbing toward someone who calls you their son, it's so out of the blue," Richardson said.
Fisher was living with Smith in July. On July 16, Smith said Fisher borrowed her car and never returned home. She then reported that Fisher was missing on July 17.
The next day, the car was found in a nearby abandoned lot. The door was open and money and cell phones were found inside.
A week later, a fire broke out at the home next door to where Smith and Fisher lived, which Smith also owned.
Roughly a week after that, Fisher's remains were found in the floorboards of that home. Police now say she was stabbed to death.
Smith said, "Everything was just so jumbled. The car being gone and then found, her being gone for two weeks before they found her? It's just a lot. It really is a lot."
Smith and Richardson said the twists and turns of the situation have them believing Edward didn't act alone.
Smith said, "We still have a lot of questions and to tell you the truth, I don't believe he was the only one involved."
Edward has been behind bars since late July on unrelated charges. He now faces more than a dozen charges including first-degree murder, arson, burglary, grand theft and resisting an officer with violence.
In the affidavit released by St. Petersburg Police, they shared that when Edward was arrested on unrelated charges, they discovered he had keys to the house where Fisher's remains were found.
St. Pete Police said they do not have a motive, but they believe he acted alone.
His next court appearance will be scheduled in the coming days.