An Oregon man wanted by police was arrested Friday and charged with killing his missing 3-year-old son and the boy’s mother.
Citing Salem police Lieutenant Treven Upkes, the Statesman Journal reported that detectives apprehended Michael John Wolfe, 52, at a doughnut shop in Portland. Charged with aggravated murder, he remains held at Yamhill County jail without bail.
Upkes declined to divulge why Wolfe was deemed a suspect in the presumed murders of Karissa Fretwell, 25, and their son, William. Their bodies have yet to be found, according to multiple accounts.
The Fretwells were reportedly last seen in Salem on May 13. On Thursday, authorities also obtained a search warrant to inspect Karissa’s SUV parked outside her Salem apartment. In the document, investigators stated that they’re looking for “evidence of criminal homicide,” which could include the bodies of the mother and son, according to KOIN.
Also on Thursday, authorities reportedly searched two rural properties in Yamhill County: one in Gaston and the other in Hopewell. The news station reported that the Gaston property belonged to Wolfe.
“Based on what we have at this point, we believe that we can charge him with aggravated murder and kidnap,” Upkes said, according to the Statesman. “[Investigators] are dogged in their pursuit of finding William and Karissa.”
Further, Karissa’s former roommate, Niccomi Holcomb, told KOIN that the 25-year-old met Wolfe at work and that Wolfe previously worked as a volunteer firefighter.
“I know they had some problems because he was married and she was a little scared of him,” Holcomb said. “Because after she got pregnant, he did threaten her at one time.”
A Salem police spokesman said the aggravated murder charges don’t necessarily mean the Fretwells are dead. The charges suggest that police had probable cause to arrest Wolfe on those charges, which could change pending their ongoing investigation, he said, according to WPTV.
Authorities also confirmed that Wolfe is married but said they don’t know his wife’s whereabouts or whether she’s in danger.
Upkes said, “We work toward the worst possible scenario and continue to hope for the best.”
Police provide an update on the Salem missing woman, son
Posted by FOX 12 Oregon on Friday, May 24, 2019
[Featured image: Michael John Wolfe, Karissa Fretwell, and William Fretwell/Salem Police Department]