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Suspects Already Charged In Death Of Arnesha Bowers Indicted

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- A horrific crime: three men are now indicted, facing several charges in the brutal murder of 16-year-old Arnesha Bowers.

Investigator Mike Hellgren has more on what these indictments reveal.

There have yet to be any more arrests but the new indictments are the next step on the road to justice.

Police have described 11th grader Arnesha Bowers' final moments alive as "pure hell." The City College high school student was raped and murdered, her body set on fire to cover it up. Now a grand jury has indicted the three responsible---all believed to have ties to the Bloods gang.

"The brutality of Arnesha's death has affected all of us and this conference held today is being conducted in an effort to promote transparency and confidence in the criminal justice system," said City State's Attorney Marilyn Mosby.

Raeshawn Rivers is just 14. He knew Bowers. Police say he orchestrated the plot. Adonay Dixon and John Childs broke into the girl's grandmother's home in northeast Baltimore, took a computer and cash, killed her and set the fire.

"When a life is lost because of violence, it leaves us with many unanswered questions. Why did this happen? What could have been done to prevent this senseless tragedy?" said Police Commissioner Anthony Batts.

Earlier this month, police said they believed a fourth person could have been involved but they are now backing away from that claim.

"We don't know at this point but we're still investigating this case," said Major Stanley Bradford.

If convicted, the three face multiple life sentences.

Arnisha's grandmother told WJZ about the loss of Arnesha's sparkling personality and promise.

"Arnesha had a beautiful smile and everyone would comment when they met her, `You have a lovely smile' and she had a beautiful heart to match," said her grandmother.

Baltimore keeps seeing this violence with more than a dozen people shot in just the past few days

City College High School will plant a tree in Bowers' memory Tuesday night.

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