Jessie Kirk murder: Florida man charged in Titusville woman's death
David A. Barber, 35, has been charged with the murder of Jessie Kirk, 72, after her body was found near Haulover Canal on March 4.
Authorities said they linked Barber to the crime while he was already in custody on unrelated charges.
Investigators continue to piece together the case, seeking justice for Kirk's family.
TITUSVILLE, Fla. - Police have charged a man in the murder of a 72-year-old Titusville woman who was reported missing last week. Jessie Kirk's body and burned SUV were discovered hours after her disappearance. David Barber, 35, now faces multiple charges related to her death.
What we know
Titusville Police charged David A. Barber, 35, with the murder of Jessie Kirk, 72, following an investigation that began with Kirk's disappearance on March 4.
Barber, who has listed addresses in both West Palm Beach and Winter Haven, Florida, faces multiple charges, including first-degree premeditated murder, arson, burglary, abuse of a dead human body, theft, and tampering with evidence. The charges were filed while Barber remained incarcerated at the Brevard County Jail on separate charges from an earlier arrest.
Investigators discovered Kirk's body near Haulover Canal shortly after Barber's initial arrest at Kirk's condominium complex for loitering, prowling, and grand theft auto. The Titusville Police Department, with assistance from Kirk's family, friends, and the community, gathered enough evidence to bring forward formal charges against Barber, investigators said.
What we don't know
Authorities have not publicly disclosed the exact nature of Barber's motive for the crime. The circumstances surrounding Kirk's disappearance remain unclear, including whether the two had prior interactions.
Authorities have not said how Barber traveled between the locations where Kirk's car and remains were found. Police are investigating whether he used a ride-share service, hitchhiked, or had another means of transportation. Officials are also seeking additional witnesses who may have seen Barber in the area on March 4.
The backstory
The case began when officers responded to a report of Jessie Kirk's disappearance on March 4 and immediately determined the situation suspicious. Later that day, police arrested Barber for loitering, prowling, and grand theft auto.
Authorities said Barber had recent, significant burns on his body, which were noteworthy, because Kirk's burned SUV Lincoln Navigator was located in Orange County near State Road 520 and State Road 50 in the afternoon she was reported missing.
Not long after, Kirk's body was also discovered near Haulover Canal, prompting further investigation.
Authorities have since worked to piece together the sequence of events leading to Kirk's death. Detectives reviewed evidence, conducted interviews, and coordinated efforts with local residents to ensure a thorough investigation.
Kirk, a well-loved community member in Titusville, was active in local philanthropy and known for growing sunflowers and vegetables, which she donated to those in need. She and her late husband were both celebrated for their community contributions.
What they're saying
Kirk was well known in the community.
"Jessie is a longtime resident of Titusville and North Brevard. She was a kind individual and had a gift to connect to anyone and everyone she met," said Titusville Police Commander Tyler Wright.
Kirk's best friend, Sharon James, described her grief and frustration after learning of her death.
"Our hearts fell to the pit of our souls… Jessie was no one that looked for notoriety. She was the quietest, kindest, giving soul. Therefore, that's why so much has to be done to help find her, find what happened."
Law enforcement officials emphasized the role community support has played in solving the case.
"This collaborative effort has been instrumental in securing the charges and moving one step closer to justice and closure for Jessie Kirk's family and friends," said Detective Sergeant Bryan Nelson.
What's next
Authorities continue to investigate Barber's role in Kirk's disappearance.
Barber remains in custody with no bond.
STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 35 ORLANDO:
Download the FOX Local app for breaking news alerts, the latest news headlines
Download the FOX 35 Storm Team Weather app for weather alerts & radar
Sign up for FOX 35's daily newsletter for the latest morning headlines
FOX Local:Stream FOX 35 newscasts, FOX 35 News+, Central Florida Eats on your smart TV
The Source
This story was written based on information shared by the Titusville Police Department, the Brevard County Sheriff's Office, and the Orange County Sheriff's Office.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New York Post
7 days ago
- New York Post
Lost man spent 9 days living off pond water until rescuers spotted ‘HELP' carved into rock
A missing man miraculously survived nine days in the Canadian wilderness living off dirty pond water — before he was finally found thanks to a giant 'HELP' he carved into a rock. Andrew Barber, 39, was finally found Friday when a helicopter spotted his sign — as well as 'SOS' on the ground — more than a week into the search sparked by his truck breaking down in a remote part of British Columbia's vast Cariboo region. The trained survivalist — who ironically has 'I am still here' tattooed on an arm — was found sheltering under a makeshift mud camp next to the signs, rescuers said. Advertisement 'He sustained some injuries and was severely dehydrated. We found him at the right time,' Staff Sgt. Brad McKinnon of the Williams Lake RCMP told The Vancouver Island Free Daily. 3 Barber was found near a rock where he had scrawled 'HELP' for his rescuers. Quesnel Search and Rescue 'He was having a hard time standing,' Bob Zimmerman, the president of Quesnel Search and Rescue, told the CBC. Advertisement 'I don't know that he would have made it another 24 hours without us recovering him.' It's not clear why he was in the Cariboo region, a boggy, mostly rural part of the country north of Vancouver that is as 'beautiful' but 'immense,' McKinnon said. He was reported missing on July 31, but was last seen three days before that. 3 Andrew Barber, 39, survived nine days in the Canadian wilderness. Williams Lake RCMP Luckily, he was able to survive without supplies of food or clean water because he has 'above average understanding of the wilderness,' McKinnon said. Advertisement 'He was literally slurping unclean pond water to stay hydrated,' McKinnon told The Globe and Mail. 'The human body can go a long time without food, but water is a different situation.' McKinnon said Barber desperately 'munched on whatever he could find' as he waited for help to arrive. 3 Baber was found deep in British Columbia's Cariboo region, officials said. Ferenc – Barber was airlifted to Cariboo Memorial Hospital where he's expected to make a full recovery.
Newsweek
7 days ago
- Newsweek
Man Lost in Wilderness Found Alive After 9 Days Without Clean Water
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Searchers found Andrew Barber, 39, alive north of Williams Lake in Canada on August 8, nine days after he was reported missing. Williams Lake Royal Canadian Mounted Police said in a press release that a 39-year-old man who was reported missing on July 31 has been located. "He was literally slurping unclean pond water to stay hydrated," Williams Lake Royal Canadian Mounted Police Staff Sergeant Brad McKinnon told The Canadian Press. A Royal Canadian Mounted Police helicopter spotted Barber's broken-down truck on a forest service road past McLeese Lake, and Barber was found in the bush near his vehicle, McKinnon told The Williams Lake Tribune. Newsweek reached out to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police for additional information and comment. Quesnel Search & Rescue shared a photo of a rock with "HELP" written on it and confirmed in a Facebook post that Barber was found alive. McKinnon said Barber wrote the message in mud and made an SOS out of rocks. Why It Matters McKinnon said that if officials had not located Barber when they did, he would have "graver concerns" about his survival. "The human body can go a long time without food, but water is a different situation," McKinnon told The Canadian Press. Stock image: A police unit responds to the scene of an emergency. Stock image: A police unit responds to the scene of an emergency. MattGush/Getty Images What To Know Barber was last seen on July 28 in Riske Creek and was reported missing to police on July 31, The Williams Lake Tribune reported. Barber was transported by helicopter to Cariboo Memorial Hospital for treatment, McKinnon told the outlet. "He had sustained an injury to his right leg, and he was severely dehydrated," McKinnon told The Canadian Press. Barber made a makeshift shelter of wood and mud and ate whatever he could find in the woods, according to the outlet. What People Are Saying Williams Lake Royal Canadian Mounted Police Staff Sgt. Brad McKinnon, in comments to The Canadian Press: "We had been at this for nine days, and it was essentially like looking for a needle in a haystack. The Cariboo region of British Columbia is beautiful, but it is immense, and there are tons of rural and wilderness areas." Quesnel Search & Rescue, in a Facebook post: "Today's result is why we train, why we respond, and why we never give up." What Happens Next Barber was released from Cariboo Memorial Hospital, McKinnon said. "I'm told he is doing quite well," McKinnon said. Do you have a story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have any questions about this story? Contact LiveNews@
Yahoo
03-08-2025
- Yahoo
Ninja sword ban will 'impact limited number of situations', warns crime commissioner
A new ban on ninja swords 'will only have an impact in a limited number of situations', Thames Valley's police boss has warned. Police and Crime Commissioner, Matthew Barber has criticised the decision to ban ninja swords as he says most weapons used are 'normal household knives'. It comes after the Home Office introduced new legislation which came into force at the start of this month, meaning it is now illegal to possess, manufacture, import or sell ninja swords in England and Wales. Anyone caught in possession of this kind of weapon in private could face six months in prison, to be increased to two years under the forthcoming Crime and Policing Bill. READ MORE: Footballer drowned after getting into difficulty in River Thames, inquest hears Those caught with a ninja sword in a public place already face up to four years in jail. But Mr Barber warned that 'we should not lose sight of the fact that most weapons used by criminals are normal household knives'. In a statement issued on Saturday, August 2, he said: "Whilst this new ban will make a difference in providing the police with additional powers to remove these deadly weapons, we should not lose sight of the fact that most weapons used by criminals are normal household knives. "Dealing with individual types of weapons is helpful, but there is no substitute for a robust policing response and continued work to prevent people carrying knives in the first place. "The ban will undoubtedly assist the police in keeping our streets safe, but the new legislation will only have an impact in a limited number of situations. "We should be cautious of governments, of all shades, seeking to create the impression of action through announcements and bans, rather than applying a razor-sharp focus on tackling the root of the problem. READ MORE: Police step up patrols after 'drug use' in wooded area "In Thames Valley I have deliberately focussed our efforts on knife possession to ensure robust police enforcement and early intervention to prevent young people carrying weapons." The ban on ninja swords is the first part of the government's manifesto commitment to introduce Ronan's Law, and latest step under the pledge to halve knife crime in the next decade. It comes after at least a thousand deadly weapons were handed in following the country's largest weapons surrender scheme. A knife amnesty bin (Image: TVP) Launched in June, the Home Office developed this scheme with members of the Coalition to Tackle Knife Crime to provide a broader range of ways the public could surrender weapons outside of police stations. This saw Faron Paul, CEO of FazAmnesty, driving a custom built and fully secure surrender van, across London, Greater Manchester and the West Midlands, and Words4Weapons supplying 37 new surrender bins, all funded by the Home Office.
