Sheriff: Fleming Confessed to Killing, ‘Hid in Vegetation’ during Manhunt

Posted: May 16, 2014 / 07:06 PM PDT

Updated: May 16, 2014 / 07:06 PM PDT

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sheriff jones — Sacramento County Sheriff Scott Jones addresses the media May 16 after the arrest of former Cal Fire Battalion Chief Orville Fleming.

SACRAMENTO-

The former Cal Fire battalion chief accused of murdering his girlfriend confessed to the crime after his arrest, Sacramento County Sheriff Scott Jones said Friday.

Orville Fleming’s girlfriend, Sarah Douglas, was found stabbed to death at the couple’s south Sacramento County home May 1. Fleming was established as a suspect very early in the investigation.

Despite a massive amount of resources pooled in the hunt for Fleming, investigators say he stayed nearby, hiding in vegetation for the duration of the manhunt – lasting more than two weeks.

Jones credited “good, old fashioned police work” in Fleming’s capture. Fleming was seen boarding a bus in Elk Grove Friday morning, and was arrested when he got off.

Investigators say Fleming was cooperative after his arrest.

Fleming and Douglas met when Douglas was working as an escort, and developed a romantic relationship from there.