Accused OBX killer caught at Ohio hotel

MEDINA, Ohio (WAVY) - The man accused of killing a mother of two in the Outer Banks of North Carolina in July was captured at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday at an Ohio motel, according to the U.S. Marshals Service.

Nate Summerfield was captured in Medina, Ohio, which is halfway between Cleveland and Ashland.

During a press conference Wednesday, the Ashland County Sheriff's Office provided additional details surrounding the arrest.

Ashland County Sheriff E. Wayne Risner said in his 23 years with the department, he has never seen an incident that affected the community like this case did. "I'm glad it's over. I'm glad we can take the posters down," said Sheriff Risner.

Summerfield has been wanted for the murder of his ex-girlfriend Lynn Jackenheimer since early July. Jackenheimer was missing for about 10 days before her body was found on July 14 in Frisco, N.C. The cause of her death was determined to be both strangulation and stabbing.

Special Coverage: Lynn Jackenheimer murder

Sheriff Risner said investigators worked around the clock, every day, and even made trips to other states trying to find Summerfield.

Ultimately, Summerfield was located at the Legacy Inn and Suites in Wadsworth, Ohio where he checked in under a fake name, according to U.S. Marshal Peter J. Elliott. A motel clerk confirms Summerfield check in as "J Summerfield." Nate's brother's name is Jay.

Investigators would not confirm who provided the tip, but did credit the community for their help. "Today, Ashland County brought Nate Summerfield to justice," said Elliott.

Several sightings of Summerfield were reported in areas of Ohio. Marshals also thought Summerfield may have been in parts of West Virginia.

Investigators revealed during the news conference that Summerfield's car was found on August 8 in Michigan.

Summerfield now has a full beard, but otherwise does not look drastically different then when he was last seen. Summerfield did not put up any resistance during his arrest and he was not armed, according to Chief Marcelli.

If it is determined anyone was helping Mr. Summerfield, investigators say they will face charges.

No one has been watching the developments in this case more than Lynn's family. Her sister, Tasha Holland, told WAVY.com she was alerted by authorities that Summerfield was in custody.

"It is so overwhelming. It's good that we finally have him alive, but here I am staring at his son, who no longer has his father," Holland said.

Summerfield is being held in the Medina County jail. He will be extradited to North Carolina to face charges. Details on when that will happen still have to be worked out.

"He has to go before a judicial official up there, and determine if he waives extradition, or if he fights extradition. If we waives it we will go pick him up. If he fights it, we will ask the government to do a warrant and they will set up a trial process up there on the extradition," explained Dare County Sheriff Major Norman Johnson.

Stay with WAVY.com for more on this developing story.