Homicide, Arson Charges Filed After Pine Co. Fire

Charges have been filed after human remains were found following a fire that happened in March in Finlayson.

Pine County deputies and Sandstone and Finlayson Fire Departments were called at out to the fire on Hammond Road at 11:56 p.m. March 7.

After the fire was extinguished, crews discovered human remains inside the home.

The Midwest Medical Examiner’s Officer identified the body as James Shepardson, the property owner.

They also ruled the manner of death to be a homicide with thermal injury and blunt force trauma of the head.

The Pine County Attorney’s Office has charged 49-year-old Robert Raisch Jr. with second degree murder, first degree arson and first degree assault.