A formal charge of murder has been filed against an Elkhart man suspected in the death of a woman at her Prairie Street home nearly one year ago.

Benford Davis, 51, was taken into police custody on Monday, in connection with the death of Sherry Houston, 58.

She was strangled to death, allegedly by Davis. The two had been in a relationship for several weeks before her death.

The Elkhart County Prosecutor’s Office released the following information about Davis’s arrest:

Prosecuting Attorney Vicki Elaine Becker filed a formal charge of Murder against Benford Davis, 51, Elkhart, on Friday. A warrant was issued and Mr. Davis was taken into police custody today, Monday, February 4, 2019. Davis is accused of killing Sherry Houston, 58, of Elkhart, at her Prairie Street home in March of 2018. Ms. Houston had been in a previous relationship with Mr. Davis several weeks prior to her death. The cause of death was strangulation.

The Elkhart County Homicide Unit investigated Ms. Houston’s death and collaborated with experts at the Homer Stryker School of Medicine, forensic department, in Kalamazoo, Michigan, as well as a DNA forensic scientist at the Indiana State Police Laboratory, and the Elkhart County Coroner, James Elliot. Indianapolis/Marion County Police Department officials also provided assistance during the investigation, and officers of the IMPD Violent Crimes Unit arrested Mr. Davis on the warrant on Monday, February 4, 2019, as Mr. Davis was located in Indianapolis. The Homicide Unit, and the Elkhart County Prosecutor’s Victim Advocates, will continue to stay in contact with Ms. Houston’s family representatives as the case proceeds through the criminal justice system.

If you have any additional information regarding Ms. Houston’s death or her relationship with Mr. Davis, please contact the Elkhart County Homicide Unit, (574) 295-2821 to assist with pursuing justice in this case.