A father returned home from a two-week vacation to discover what he believed to be “brown paint” throughout his home. During his lunch break, he observed a man in a “hazmat” suit ripping up carpet in the cellar, according to Minnesota authorities.
His daughter is currently being accused of shooting a 70-year-old man in the head. According to her suspected accomplice in the disposal of the corpse, the victim was “f—ing with her and she could not take it anymore.”
Josephine Ann Powers, a 25-year-old resident of Burnsville, is accused of calling the police on July 18 to report the shooting of Michael Robert Riccio, which occurred at least nine days prior. Despite these details, the gruesome second-degree intentional murder complaint against her is far more extensive.
Witness testimony suggests that Powers and Riccio engaged in an argument that culminated in her obtaining a firearm and firing it, resulting in her death. Subsequently, she “flew into a rage and fled the residence,” and she attempted to “clean up the blood,” as per the Dakota County Attorney’s Office and a statement of probable cause.
Southern California WOMAN ARRESTED FOR ALLEGEDLY KILLING WIFE With Samurai Sword
On July 18, Witness 1, Powers’ father, allegedly reported to the Burnsville Police Department that he awoke to an “odor of bleach and ammonia in the house” two days after he observed a “tall, white male in his house wearing a ‘hazmat’ suit” cleaning up the brown point and removing portions of the carpet from the basement floor.
Despite this, he reported to work, as per this account. Upon his return home, Witness 2, who was identified as his daughter’s companion, informed the man that Powers had reported that Riccio was fatally shot while her homeowner’s father was on vacation, according to the documents.
The complaint stated that the officers detected a strong odor of bleach and observed what appeared to be recently patched bullet wounds in the hallway while in the residence.
The suspect allegedly informed the police that a man named “Chris,” who was subsequently identified as Christopher Michael Hawkins, had assisted in the removal of the victim’s corpse from the residence. It is possible that Hawkins transported Riccio’s remains to a shed in Minneapolis in a “large gray box-shaped container.”
The victim’s remains were discovered by the investigators in a “large, gray container” upon their arrival. It was evident that the victim had been shot once in the cranium.
According to law enforcement, Hawkins informed authorities that Powers had requested his assistance in “transporting a package in exchange for a truck” after he was read his Miranda rights. He also stated that Riccio was “encased in garbage bags and rugs” upon his arrival at the suspect’s residence. In addition to allegedly acknowledging that he assisted Powers in the cleanup of blood, Hawkins also disclosed the statements made by the suspected gunman regarding the incident.
“Powers informed him that a man was infidelity with her, and she was unable to tolerate the situation any longer. Consequently, she fatally shot him,” according to court documents. “Powers informed him that she discharged the firearm with the assistance of a friend who was present during the incident.”
The acquaintance Hawkins purportedly referred to, Witness 4, informed the authorities that they had heard Powers and Riccio argue before the shooting.
“Witness 4 was situated in the hallway outside of Powers’ bedroom, but she was able to observe and hear the argument between victims and Powers.” Powers initiated the act of throwing objects at the victim. The authorities claimed that Powers shot the victim after he seized a black handgun. “The victim collapsed onto a couch and was rendered unconscious.” Powers became very agitated and began to run around the home.
According to Dakota County Jail records reviewed by Law&Crime, Powers’ bail was either set at $1,000,000 without conditions or at $750,000 with the following conditions: she was required to surrender any firearms, refrain from using drugs or alcohol, and maintain residency in Minnesota, as well as to maintain no contact with Riccio’s family or any witnesses (excluding her father).
A judicial appearance was scheduled for August 1 Lawandcrime stated.
Hawkins is currently being detained at the Hennepin County Jail in connection with an unrelated burglary case, according to jail records.
Prosecutors announced that a complaint warrant has been issued to transfer Hawkins to the Dakota County Jail upon his release.