Investigators from the Maryland State Police Homicide Unit have a suspect in custody while actively investigating the murder of a teenage boy in Worcester County.
The victim is identified as Dehaven Nichols, 17, of Berlin, Maryland. Nichols was pronounced deceased by EMS personnel in a wooded area behind an apartment complex in Berlin. His body has been transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore for an autopsy to determine the cause and manner of death.
The accused is identified as a 16-year-old of Berlin, Maryland boy. After consultation with the Worcester County State’s Attorney, the 16-year-old was charged as an adult with first and second-degree murder, along with other related charges. He is currently awaiting an appearance before a court commissioner in Worcester County. Around 6:15 p.m. yesterday, The 16-year-old along with his mother and grandmother went to the Berlin Police Department. Upon their arrival, the mother informed the police that her son had been involved in a fight. During the conversation, police learned of the victim’s location and immediately dispatched officers to the area where they located Nichols who was unresponsive.
The preliminary investigation indicates the two teenage boys were involved in an altercation behind an apartment complex off of Route 113 in Berlin. A motive has not yet been determined.
The Maryland State Police Homicide Unit was requested to respond and take the lead on this investigation. Additional assistance is being provided by the Maryland State Police Criminal Enforcement Division Lower Shore, troopers from the Berlin Barrack, the Worcester County Bureau of Investigation, as well as detectives, officers and deputies from the Berlin Police Department and Worcester County Sheriff’s Office. State Police crime scene technicians processed the scene.
Investigators have been interviewing witnesses and residents in the area. Crime scene evidence has been transported to the State Police Forensic Sciences Division crime laboratory for analysis.
Anyone with information about this murder is urged to contact Maryland State Police at the Berlin Barrack at 410-641-3101. Callers may remain anonymous.