Authorities in Wisconsin have arrested a 70-year-old man accused of killing his wife and abandoning her body in a rural cornfield. The suspect, Gordon Charles Laakso, is charged with first-degree intentional homicide, domestic abuse by strangulation and suffocation, and hiding a corpse in connection with the death of his wife, 68-year-old Mary Laakso.
According to the New Richmond Police Department, officers responded to a 911 call around 1:45 p.m. on Sunday regarding a possible domestic disturbance at the couple’s home in the 1300 block of Bluff Border Road. The call reportedly came after Gordon Laakso made alarming statements earlier in the day suggesting he may have harmed his wife.
Upon arriving at the scene, officers found Gordon Laakso at the residence but were unable to locate Mary Laakso or contact her by phone. Approximately two hours later, police discovered Mary’s body on the edge of a cornfield in rural Polk County, located north of New Richmond.
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Details from a criminal complaint obtained by WEAU, an NBC affiliate in Eau Claire, reveal that Gordon Laakso told authorities his wife had “rambled” at him for seven hours before allegedly striking him. He claimed the situation escalated but did not elaborate further, according to the affidavit.
Laakso admitted to police that he knew his wife was dead and, in a state of panic, decided to dispose of her body rather than seek medical attention. Officers reported that during a search of the home, they found bloody gloves and multiple firearms. Laakso also reportedly began packing a suitcase, stating he was ready to accompany officers.
When detectives questioned him about Mary Laakso’s whereabouts, he allegedly responded, “Oh, you didn’t find her?” When asked for clarification, he reportedly added, “She’s dead.”
Gordon Laakso was taken into custody and transported to the St. Croix County Jail, where he is being held on a $1 million bond. The investigation remains ongoing as authorities piece together the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident.
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