GALVESTON, Texas – A drowning investigation turned into a murder investigation and a suspect is in custody.
Michael Anthony Alicie has been charged with murder.
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Galveston police said Jutina Silvey, Alicie and another person went swimming in the Gulf of Mexico in the 3200 block of Seawall Boulevard in the early morning hours of Sept. 9.
Detectives said the group has been drinking before they got into the water.
The unnamed person got out of the water and Silvey and Alicie stayed in the water, police said. Alicie later got out of the water and said that he and Silvey had been swept onto a rock groin by the current and he couldn't find Silvey, detectives said.
Silvey's body was found on a rock groin in the 3600 block of Seawall Boulevard about 10:30 a.m.
Investigators said they quickly determined that Silvey had been beaten and strangled.
Alicie has been arrested and booked into the Galveston County Jail with bond set at $100,000.