Police: Suspect drove slain nun's SUV

NAVAJO, N.M. (KRQE) - The FBI continues to be tight-lipped about the arrest early Thursday of a man believed to be connected to the murder of a nun in the Navajo Nation community of Navajo.

For now Reeahlio Nathan Carroll, 18, is charged with unauthorized used of a vehicle, according to Navajo police Capt. Ivan Tsosie. That vehicle is Sister Marguerite Bartz's Honda SUV with was missing where her body was discovered Sunday morning, he said.

Tsosie would only say that evidence was recovered that connects Carroll to the case. The FBI is not saying if they have the suspected killer in this case or if more arrests are coming.

Carroll was arrested in Navajo shortly after 7 a.m.

Bartz was murdered in her convent home at the St. Berard parish. An autopsy revealed Bartz suffered trauma from a violent confrontation, but agents declined to discuss specifics of the autopsy or the investigation.

They also have not ventured a motive in the killing except to say it wasn't a hate crime or sexually assault.

Bartz's Honda was discovered about 40 miles away in eastern Arizona on Monday and processed at FBI headquarters in Albuquerque on Wednesday.

A KRQE News 13 news crew in Navajo reported the FBI went to the home of a friend of Carroll's at about 5 a.m. and was told he was not there. About two hours later, when Carroll appeared at the home, a woman refused to let him in and instead called the FBI.

Carroll was arrested at a nearby Conoco station, according to Navajo police.

He lived in Navajo with his grandfather, according to his cousin Courtney Mark who lives next door. FBI agents also came to Carroll's home looking for him early Thursday, she said.

"He was a pretty good kid," Mark said of her cousin. "I didn't expect this.

"I'm still in a shock state of really believing that it was him because he's just next door to us. I never would have thought of that."

Mark, who also knew Bartz from the church, said she doesn't believe Carroll is capable of such violence and added she hopes he isn't involved in her death. Mark also said that as far a she knows Carroll did not know Bartz.