OKC Carjacking Suspect Now Faces Murder Charge After Victim Dies

A man accused in a violent assault and carjacking incident in Oklahoma City now faces a murder complaint, after his victim died from his injuries over the weekend. 

According to police, Marcus Julian White, 24, is now facing a complaint of first-degree murder in connection to the death of 66-year-old Gayle Richard Vanek.

At about 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, July 28, officers responded to the report of a man lying near the intersection of Melrose Lane and Peniel Avenue. Officers arrived and found Vanek critically injured. He had been beaten.

7/28/2015 Related Story: OKC Police Investigate After Assault Victim Found Lying In Roadway

Investigators determined that Vanek had been forced to get into the bed of his own truck near the 500 block of N. Rockwell.  He was driven several blocks and then beaten and left on the ground.  The suspects then drove away in Vanek’s truck. 

Later the same day, officers spotted the stolen truck at a convenience store at N.E. 27th and M. L. King.  That’s when they found White and took him into custody.

According to police, investigators were notified on Monday, August 10, that Vanek died on August 7 as a result of his injuries.  The complaint against White will be amended to reflect a charge of first-degree murder. 

This is Oklahoma City’s 50th homicide of 2015, according to police. Officers are also looking for a man who they believe has information regarding the crime. We attached a photo of that man to this story. 

7/30/2015 Related Story: OKC Police Seek Man In Connection To Carjacking, Assault

Anyone with information should call the Homicide tip-line at (405)-297-1200.