Suspect arraigned in murder of Marblehead woman

SANDUSKY - The man suspected of killing a Marblehead woman in a Perkins Township apartment has been arraigned on a charge of first-degree felony murder, and additional charges appear likely.

Brandon Twarek, 29, appeared via video from jail in Sandusky Municipal Court for his arraignment on Monday. He is accused of fatally stabbing his ex-girlfriend Karen Holmes, 22, of Marblehead, after she met with him to retrieve personal belongings from the apartment last Wednesday.

Still seeking an attorney at the time of the hearing, Twarek did not enter a plea. Judge Erich O'Brien informed Twarek of the procedure for having legal counsel appointed to represent him. O'Brien also ordered Twarek to remain held without bond in the Erie County Jail.

"Candidly, my normal bond for a murder is $1 million, which would be the case in this situation, except, I just signed a couple of additional search warrants this morning," O’Brien said. "Law enforcement has informed me that they anticipate filing additional charges in about the next 24 hours, give or take."

Twarek is scheduled to appear for another hearing Thursday, by which time the additional charges are expected to be filed and he should have an attorney.

Twarek also informed the judge that he is on probation in Ottawa County and it is still in effect. In November of 2014, the Danbury Township Police Department arrested and charged Twarek with first-degree misdemeanor assault. By March of this year, Twarek's assault case was placed in a diversion program.

Danbury officers were the first to respond in connection with the recent stabbing after initially finding Twarek and a vehicle with blood in its interior at a Lakeside residence Wednesday. The department requested a welfare check at the address in the 1500 block of East Bogart Road in Sandusky, where Twarek lived with his stepfather and mother.

While Perkins Township officers were en route for the welfare check, Twarek's stepfather called police after finding Holmes in the apartment, apparently deceased. Police dispatchers then advised the officers to treat the scene as a possible homicide.

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Video by the Sandusky Register of Twarek's arraignment is available online.