but Branning is not seen in the surveillance footage. Stark is seen on surveillance video making a purchase there at 9:27 p.m. Evidence shows that there is over an hour and a half of unaccounted for time in the Somers Point area until both Branning and Stark’s cellphone data is tracked to a Wawa in Cape May two hours later. Toll and cellphone data showed Branning’s vehicle traveling into Central New Jersey around 5 p.m., and Branning’s bank account is used at a gas station in Somers Point at 7:05 p.m. No one is in his passenger seat, but a person is partially visible in the back seat of Branning’s 2002 Lexus SUV. Shortly thereafter, Branning was captured on surveillance footage withdrawing money from a drive-thru ATM in Sellersville at 4:07 p.m. On the day of Branning’s disappearance, just prior to the end of his shift, evidence shows that although Stark failed to appear for his shift, he took an Uber to Enchlor and was lying in wait for Branning. Stark was sent to Bucks County Correctional Facility without bail. He is also charged with two counts of robbery and three counts of theft by unlawful taking.

Stark was arraigned Thursday night by Magisterial District Judge Terrence Hughes on charges of first-degree murder, second-degree murder, kidnapping, criminal use of a communication facility, flight to avoid apprehension, tampering with evidence and abuse of a corpse. The presentment was accepted by Supervising Judge Raymond F. On Thursday, the Investigating Grand Jury handed down a presentment, recommending Stark be charged with Branning’s murder. The victim’s body has yet to be recovered. At some point during the encounter, Stark killed Branning and disposed of his body. 15, 2021, forced him to withdraw money from a nearby ATM, and then fled into New Jersey in the victim’s vehicle. This investigation, aided by tips from the public, concluded that Stark kidnapped Branning at the end of his work shift on Oct.

Resources for Residents - Where to Turn for HelpĪ 49-year-old man was charged Thursday, March 2, 2023, with kidnapping and killing Matthew James Branning, the Sellersville man who has been missing since October 2021 after leaving his job in Silverdale Borough.įollowing an unyielding investigation by Detectives with the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office and the Perkasie Borough Police Department with the assistance of the Bucks County Investigating Grand Jury, Michael Allen Stark, of Royersford, was charged with first-degree murder, kidnapping and related offenses for killing Branning, his co-worker at Enchlor Inc., in Silverdale.

The Exhibit: District Attorney's Office Newsletter.

Surveillance station crack