Police are now investigating whether there may be more victims.
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Khalil Wheeler-Weaver, 20, of Orange, was arraigned in the death of 33-year-old Joanne Brown, who was found strangled in a vacant house in Orange two weeks ago.
He recently pleaded not guilty to murder in the strangulation death of 20-year-old New Jersey City University student Sarah Butler, whose body was found December 1 at the Eagle Rock Reservation in West Orange. He's also charged with disturbing human remains.
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It's believed the two women were killed four days apart.
Prosecutors say they have evidence linking the cases, though the motive remains unclear. His attorney, Shevelle McPherson, says she hasn't seen any scientific evidence or eyewitness testimony that links her client to the deaths. She says the evidence she has seen is "very circumstantial."
Authorities are taking a closer look at the suspect to see if he has ties to any other murders after he was charged with the death of Brown.
He remains jailed on $5 million bail.