DELOIT, Iowa (AP) - Three people have been arrested and charged in connection with the discovery of two bodies inside a burning building in western Iowa that has been ruled a double homicide, authorities announced Thursday.
The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation said at a news conference that Jayden Chapman, 19; Erika Haberberger-Dains, 36; and Michael Schenk, 26, face two counts each of first-degree murder and one count each of first-degree arson. The charges are preliminary, and it’s unclear when the individuals will make initial court appearances.
Authorities said the body of Marvin Huesling, 80, was found Monday inside a burning structure in Deloit, about 60 miles southeast of Sioux City. DNA confirmation is still needed for remains believed to be Alice Huisenga, 81. Officials have announced multiple times that the remains are presumed to be Huisenga’s.
Officials said they believe Huesling and Huisenga, both of Carroll County, were friends.
Autopsies show Huesling died of multiple gunshot wounds, according to the state medical examiner’s office. Huisenga was killed by “homicidal violence,” though additional information was not released.
DCI said the suspects, all from Denison, were likely on the property to steal scrap metal. They are at the Crawford County Jail. Court records do not list attorneys.
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