Man Pleads Guilty to Middle River Double Homicide

Suspect accepts plea deal after lengthy jury selection process.

Mar. 18, 2026 at 1:14am

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Bryan Cherry, 38, has pleaded guilty to two counts of first-degree murder for killing a 75-year-old grandmother and her 29-year-old granddaughter in Middle River, Maryland in July 2024. The surprise plea deal came after a long day of jury selection, with the state agreeing to drop the remaining charges and recommend life without parole for the first murder count and a concurrent life sentence for the second.

Why it matters

This case garnered significant attention in the Baltimore area due to the brutal nature of the killings and the impact on the local community. The plea deal brings a sense of closure for the victims' families, though questions remain about the motivations and circumstances behind the murders.

The details

According to court documents, Iona Summers, 75, and her granddaughter Autumn Harvey, 29, suffered severe blunt-force trauma and lost a significant amount of blood during the attack. A substantial portion of the potential jurors expressed difficulty viewing the evidence and strong feelings about the elderly victim. The state's case was expected to rely heavily on DNA and digital forensics.

  • The murders took place in July 2024.
  • The plea deal was accepted on March 18, 2026, after a lengthy jury selection process.

The players

Bryan Cherry

A 38-year-old man charged with two counts of first-degree murder for the killings of Iona Summers and Autumn Harvey.

Iona Summers

A 75-year-old grandmother who was killed in the attack.

Autumn Harvey

A 29-year-old woman and Iona Summers' granddaughter, who was also killed in the attack.

Scott Shellenberger

The Baltimore County State's Attorney who expressed satisfaction that justice has been served and the public will be protected with the life sentences.

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What they’re saying

“We are extremely pleased that the families of the victims in this case will see that justice has been served, and the public will be protected while he serves life without parole.”

— Scott Shellenberger, Baltimore County State's Attorney

What’s next

Sentencing for Bryan Cherry is expected to take place at a later date, where he will receive life without parole for the first murder count and a concurrent life sentence for the second.

The takeaway

This tragic case highlights the devastating impact of violent crime on local communities, and the importance of the criminal justice system in delivering justice for victims and their families. The plea deal brings a measure of closure, though the underlying motivations behind the murders remain unclear.