Charges Expected for Suspect in Cristyna Watson Homicide Case
Friday, October 5, 2012 - 8:37pm
By:
Jacob Kittilstad
Photojournalist:
Kaela Rannikar
FOX 21 News, KQDS-DT
CLOQUET-A Duluth man is under arrest for what authorities are calling his part in the homicide of a woman from Floodwood.
22-year-old Michael Siewert was already being held at the Carlton County Jail when criminal investigators discovered the body of 25-year-old Cristyna Watson on the Fond Du Lac Reservation.
"We have detained and interviewed several individuals in relation to this case including the suspect and all of them are known and have been identified as native mob gang members," Cloquet Police Chief Wade Lamirande said during a press conference.
Siewert is a 22–year–old who has already spent about two years of his life behind bars for pistol possession. Carlton County's Court Administrator reports that, currently, he is in jail on charges involving gang crime and gun possession.
Chief Lamirande said authorities arrested him at 11 a.m. on Thursday but the charges are not related to Watson's death.
"She was not shot," Lamirande said.
Law enforcement would not share what comments Siewert has made about the case.
On Wednesday afternoon the Ramsay County medical examiner matched Watson's dental records to the body, Lamirande said.
Although police are not talking about how Watson died, investigator at the crime scene on Reservation Road seemed to focus their investigation on a shallow hole that was filled with ashes.
Officers took down crime scene tape around 5 p.m. after investigators had dug and sifted through some of the ashy dirt.
"I'm not going to elaborate on the motive at this time," Lamirande said.
Authorities say Watson and Siewert were acquaintances but it is not known how either of them knew the owner of the home were the remains were found.
Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) officials said they were executing a search warrant around 5 p.m. when they found the remains.
"We were searching for the victim but beyond that...we'll just leave it at that," BCA Supervising Agent Paul Gherard said.
Gherard would not elaborate further saying the investigation is still in its infancy. Cloquet police however note an upswing in crime.
"We have seen an escalation in presence and also the violence in other associated crimes with the native mob," Lamirande said.
Charges are expected for Siewert next week and police say the suspect–pool could grow, Lamirande said.
"The investigation's ongoing and that's always a possibility," Lamirande said.
Authorities are add that they do not believe Cristyna Watson was part of any gang.
People living near the property said they have never had a problem with their neighbors who are described as mostly keeping to themselves.