Teenagers arrested for gruesome murder of Maryland business owner

In the United States, specifically Maryland, a disturbing homicide incident has unfolded involving the violent death of Edward Stephen Koza, a 67-year-old business owner. On May 24, 2025, police discovered Koza's body in the passenger side of his burned truck in the parking lot of his business, Tropic Bay Aquatic Garden Center, located in Davidsonville. The investigation initiated by the Anne Arundel County police revealed that Jonah Poole and Kylee Dakes, both 18, were responsible for this heinous act. They were arrested a week after the discovery of Koza's body, charged with murder, assault, and arson, and were held without bail following a court hearing. Authorities reported that prior to the murder, Koza was attacked inside his garden center shortly after closing time. Poole and Dakes allegedly tied him up and placed him in his pickup truck, then drove to a nearby gas station before returning to the garden center to set the vehicle ablaze with Koza trapped inside. The fire was extinguished by emergency services, leading to the tragic discovery of Koza's remains. In the days preceding this murder, Poole had been linked to a burglary at Pirates Cove restaurant, where he reportedly caused substantial damage and stole over $11,000. Dakes had also been an employee there until just days before the incident. Koza had reportedly faced challenges in his personal life leading up to his death, and police are still investigating if these incidents were connected. Disturbingly, a video circulating on social media allegedly shows a young man resembling Poole setting a truck on fire, contributing further to the ongoing investigation. Community members expressed shock and sorrow over the murder, with local residents reflecting on the violent nature of the crime and questioning the motivations behind such acts carried out by young individuals. This horrific event has stirred a sense of fear and concern in the normally quiet town of Davidsonville as residents come to terms with the brutality of the situation. As investigations continue and more details emerge, the fate of the young suspects awaits through legal proceedings. The community is now forced to grapple with the reality of the crime and the youth who committed it, while also looking for answers surrounding the broader implications of such violence. It poses unsettling questions about youth engagement in crime, societal issues, and the safety of local residents in their everyday lives.