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Ashanti Billie's parents speak about their tragedy, following arrest

A grieving mother and father get an answer they've been looking for: who was the person who kidnapped and took their daughter's life.

NORFOLK, Va. (WVEC) -- After nearly two months of searching, an arrest has been made in connection with the death of Ashanti Billie.

Ashanti's parents say they're glad police caught the man accused of killing their daughter, calling Eric Brown "a monster."

Brown, a retired Navy veteran, is charged with the murder of 19-year-old Ashanti Billie. Her parents both served in the Army.

"Your job is to protect this country," said Ashanti's father, Meltony Billie. "To protect every life. And you took the freedom of my child."

The last time anyone saw Ashanti alive was September 18, as she drove onto Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek. The college student worked at the Blimpie's deli on base. Court documents reveal Brown, who is homeless, previously tried flirting with the teen and was often seen hanging around the restaurant.

"How is it that this guy was able to roam around base?" Meltony asked. "We understand that yeah, you have [a military] ID card and that allows you to be on base, but who is patrolling? Who is doing these security measures?"

13News Now obtained video of what investigators believe is Brown tossing Ashanti's cell phone in a dumpster the morning she disappeared. Two weeks later, her body was found about 300 yards away from Brown's childhood home and church in Charlotte, North Carolina.

"You knew exactly what you were doing. You preyed upon an innocent young lady," Meltony said of Brown.

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