NATCHEZ — An arrest has been made in the Ridgeland murder of 22-year-old Natchez native Carmen Simone Sanders.

Sanders, who was living in Ridgeland while she studied medical technology at University Medical Center, was discovered dead in her apartment with several stab wounds last Friday.

Robert Earl Harvey Jr., 35, was charged Friday with capital murder in connection with the death. He was reportedly already being detained at the Hinds County Detention Center on a larceny charge, and is now being detained without bond at the Madison County Detention Center.

Knowing that a suspect is behind bars has helped ease some of the uncertainty of the last week, the victim’s father, Charles Sanders, said.

“I feel some relief,” he said. “I just hope they have enough evidence.”

Charles Sanders said he has heard that Harvey may have been an acquaintance of his daughter, but he does not know the suspect himself.

A member of the Natchez High School class of 2006, Carmen Sanders attended Copiah-Lincoln Community College, Holmes Community College and the Mississippi State University Medical Center.

She will be buried today at Pine Hill Memorial Park Cemetery after an 11 a.m. funeral at the Fourth Street Church of Christ.