911 Call: Suspect Arrested In Amanda Strous Murder Case

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Officials confirm that the suspect in the murder of Amanda Strous has been arrested.

Officials say Mathew Benner was arrested near Las Vegas, Nevada Monday and confessed to killing Amanda Strous.

He was taken into custody through a combined effort of the U.S. Marshals Violent Offender Task Force, the Nye County Sheriff’s Office and the VCAT.

Benner is currently in the custody of the Nye County Sheriff’s Office awaiting extradition.  There is no timetable on his return.  He is being charged with murder and 1st degree arson.

On Saturday, fire crews were called to an apartment on Toscana Way in southwest Charlotte in reference to a fire.

Strous, a 27-year-old student counselor at CPCC, was in the apartment at the time of the fire and was transported to Carolinas Medical Center – Steele Creek.  She was pronounced dead upon arrival.

Police say the fire was intentionally set and are investigating this case as a homicide.

Anyone with information about this investigation is asked to please call  704-432-TIPS and speak directly to a Homicide Unit Detective or asked to call Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600. You can also visit their mobile website at http://charlottecrimestoppers.com/.