Family: Beebe has 'anger issues'

HARTFORD TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) - A man accused of killing two women in Van Buren County has confessed he killed at least one of them, family members told 24 Hour News 8.

Junior Lee (or BJ) Beebe Jr., 34, was arrested Thursday in connection with the murders of Amy Henslee and Tonya Howarth, investigators said. The women's bodies were found Thursday afternoon. Investigators had been searching for Henslee, a mother of two, since she disappeared Monday morning.

Family members say Beebe and Howarth had been dating on and off for five years. The couple had issues, the family said, but none that would have tipped them off he would hurt Howarth.

"Not in a million years," said Rebecca Nickerson, Beebe's sister. "I couldn't begin to understand it."

Also perplexing to Nickerson is why Henslee was involved. Sheriff's department investigators wouldn't comment on a motive in a news conference Friday morning.

"I couldn't imagine him having any problem with Amy," Nickerson said. "Amy's too sweet of a person. She's too much of a good, kind-hearted person for anybody to ever be angry at her."

Nickerson and two other Beebe's family members said Beebe has problems dealing with anger.

"He's got anger issues," Nickerson said. "There's no doubt about that. He's hot-headed."

Watch the video to the left of Beebe involved in an mixed martial arts competition, courtesy MySpace. He was apparently heavily involved with that style of fighting.

Beebe has been charged with domestic violence and felony weapons charges in the past, according to state police records. Family members said he also was previously known to have had a drug problem.

Family members describe Beebe as a "sports fanatic" during the good times but said his mood often changed quickly.

"He can be fun-loving," Nickerson said. "He's a practical joker; loves to play a prank on ya.

"He's the type of guy that could make you laugh and then the next second make you cry."

"It breaks my heart to know that two moms are gone and their kids don't have a mom no more," said Jennifer Hardin, Beebe's niece.