Arzel Ivery back in Milwaukee to face charges in deaths of mother, daughters
Arzel Ivery
MILWAUKEE -- Arzel Ivery, the man suspected of killing Amarah "Jerica" Banks and her two daughters, Camaria Banks and Zaniya Ivery, is back in Milwaukee after being extradited from Shelby County, Tennessee, police tell FOX6 News. He is expected to make his initial appearance in Milwaukee County court soon.
Ivery faces three counts of first-degree intentional homicide in the deaths of Banks and her daughters. The three were found dead Sunday, Feb. 16 in a garage near 47th Street and Burleigh Street in Milwaukee.
Jerica Banks and daughters found in garage near 47th and Burleigh
Criminal complaint
Police in Memphis, Tennessee received a call from Ivery's father on Feb. 15. He stated that Ivery "has confessed to (Ivery's father) that the Defendant had killed the mother of his children and his children in Milwaukee." He was arrested a short time later.
Milwaukee police sent a detective to Memphis later on Feb. 15 to interview Ivery. The complaint indicates Ivery said "things had been tense between himself and Ms. Banks since the death of their son. He stated that Ms. Banks had not wanted him around anymore because he reminded her of their son."
Amarah Banks, Zaniya Ivery, Camaria Banks
The funeral for the son was on Feb. 7 -- and afterward, Ivery indicated he went to work. When he went to Banks' apartment around 1:30 a.m. on Feb. 8, the complaint said Banks "was angry that (Ivery) had gone to work and yelled at him that he did not care about the death of their son." Ivery claimed to police he and Banks had an argument and "he then grabbed Ms. Banks and pushed her head into the wall two times." Ivery then indicated he "strangled Ms. Banks with both hands."
The complaint says Ivery then stated, "he did not want the children...to live in a world where they did not have their mother." He indicated he then strangled both the children. The complaint says Ivery then tried to hide the bodies of all three by burning them.
If convicted, Ivery faces up to life in prison.
Help for victims of domestic violence
For those who need help in dealing with a domestic violence situation, it is available 24/7 at Sojourner Family Peace Center. You can call their hotline, 414-933-2722, visit their website, or even go to their location for assistance.