Jun 26, 2009  |  By: Amy Cavanaugh  | COMMENTS     

Baltimore police have charged a 21-year-old man with murder in connection with the deaths of two lesbians who were found slain in their home earlier this month.

Troy Harris, a Baltimore City Police Department spokesperson, said Mark Floyd was arrested last week and charged with first-degree murder, first-degree assault and theft in the case that left Lydia “Buffy” Steed, 31, and Allisha “Prada” Royster, 23, dead.

Steed and Royster died after suffering multiple stab wounds to the backs of their heads June 6 or June 7, according to Harris. The women, who police say were robbed, weren’t found in their apartment along the 4000 block of Biddison Lane until June 10.

In an interview with detectives, Floyd acknowledged that he was alone with the women June 6, but told police that he did not steal anything, Harris said.

Police say several items were stolen from the apartment, including televisions, jewelry and a laptop. Harris said Floyd pawned the laptop June 9, linking Floyd to the crime. No trial date has been set.

Loleta Chase, a friend of the couple, said that Steed and Royster were recently married in Boston, and had been together about a year and a half. The couple was planning to return to the Boston area.

“They were fun-loving, caring, giving people who had your back if you needed help,” Chase said.