New York man allegedly stabbed and strangled ex-girlfriend, hid body in woods
03/08/2022 2:10 pm PST
RENSSELAER COUNTY, N.Y. (TCD) -- A 22-year-old man stands accused of stabbing, strangling, and hiding the body of his 20-year-old ex-girlfriend, who went missing in February.
According to a press release from the Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Office, Morgan Bates was reported missing on Tuesday, Feb. 22, and an investigation was launched. The Sheriff’s Office says Bates’ body was found Sunday, Feb. 27, on state land near Black River Road.
According to WNYT-TV, court documents say Ian Hasselwander strangled Bates and stabbed her in the neck before trying to bury her body in the woods. Hasselwander allegedly tried to cover Bates’ body with logs.
The Sheriff’s Office says Hasselwander was taken into custody on Friday, March 4, and charged with second-degree murder, first-degree assault, first-degree strangulation, and concealment of a human corpse.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, Hasselwander is held without bail and will be prosecuted by the Rensselaer County District Attorney’s Office. Hasselwander is reportedly scheduled to appear in court March 10.
In a statement, Rensselaer County Sheriff Patrick Russo said, "I would like to acknowledge and commend the professionalism, diligence and dedication of the members of the above-mentioned agencies who worked long hours, around the clock, which led to a timely arrest."
In the statement, District Attorney Mary Pat Donnelly added, "Law enforcement has worked around the clock on this case since Morgan Bates disappeared. This was certainly not the outcome we had hoped for. This arrest is the first step towards justice for Morgan and her family."
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