This story is harrowing, so brace yourself.

Alaskan police have arrested South African Brian Steven Smith, above, on charges of murder.

The arrest happened following a call to Anchorage police from a person who found an SD card, labelled ‘Homicide at midtown Marriott’, on the street.

The SD card contained graphic images and video of the assault and murder of a dark-haired woman.

The woman in the video has since been identified as 30-year-old Kathleen J. Henry, whose remains were found next to a highway.

IOL reports that Smith was arrested on Tuesday at an Anchorage airport.

Police spokesman MJ Thim said Smith had been on a flight returning to Anchorage. He did not know where Smith’s flight had originated.

He said Smith, 48, lives in Anchorage but is from South Africa. Police were familiar with Smith from another investigation, Thim said, though he declined to provide details.

During a brief court hearing Wednesday, Smith was asked a few questions by the judge, including if he had received a copy of the charging document and if he could afford an attorney. Smith said he could not afford a lawyer, and the judge said he would appoint a public defender to Smith.

For more on how the police pieced it all together, watch this:

Police believe that Smith recorded the murder himself in a hotel room. They also think the murder took place in early September.

The court case is pending.

[source:iol]