New Richmond Mother and daughter died from multiple stab wounds
NEW RICHMOND, Wis. (WEAU) -- Police have released a provisional cause of death from the Ramsey County Medical Examiner in the death of a mother and daughter found inside a burning home in New Richmond.
According to New Richmond Police, Courtney Bradford, 30, and Jasmine Bradford, 10, were found dead Wednesday around 12:30 p.m. When officers arrived at the home, there was the smell of smoke as well as running water.
The Ramsey County Medical Examiner’s Office ruled both deaths as a homicide. It says both died from loss of blood due to multiple stab wounds.
The report adds that 10-year old Jasmine also had injuries consistent with sexual assault.
The main suspect in the case was arrested Thursday morning in El Paso, Texas. He is being identified as Bradford’s ex-boyfriend, Christian Daniel Nunez. He was charged with fraud and operating a vehicle without owner's consent.
Nunez is accused of taking Bradford's car to Iowa on Wednesday and later flying to Texas where he allegedly used Bradford's credit card to pay for a hotel room.
The homicide is still under investigation
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NEW RICHMOND, Wis. (KARE) -- Police in western Wisconsin say they have arrested a "subject of prime interest" in connection with the deaths of a young mother and her daughter found Wednesday inside their burning house in New Richmond.
Around 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, a person called 911 after smelling smoke and hearing water running inside the home in the 1400 block of Hallewood Boulevard. Police say responding officers entered the residence and found the bodies of Courtney Bradford, 30, and her daughter Jasmine, 10.
"We are calling this a homicide investigation at this point," said New Richmond Police Chief Mark Samelstad.
According to court documents, the bodies were found in different levels of the home, and both victims suffered stab wounds and injuries from blunt force trauma.
Evidence in the criminal complaint indicates the house was intentionally set on fire.
Authorities say Bradford's ex-boyfriend, 37-year-old Cristian Daniel Nunez was arrested in El Paso, Texas Thursday morning and charged with fraud and operating a vehicle without owner's consent.
Prosecutors accuse Nunez of taking Bradford's car to Iowa on Wednesday and later flying to Texas where he allegedly used Bradford's credit card to pay for a hotel room.
Samelstad says it may take several weeks to extradite Nunez back to Wisconsin.
Police are telling local residents there is no continuing risk to the public.
Investigators remained on scene Thursday processing evidence and working on the case against the suspect.
Anyone with information is asked to call the St. Croix County Emergency Communication Center at 715-386-4701.
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Police have identified the bodies of the victims as 30-year-old Courtney Bradford and her daughter, 10-year-old Jasmine Bradford.
New Richmond Police said this is now a homicide investigation.
Nunez is being charged with identity-theft and operating a vehicle without consent.
Anyone with information is asked to call the St. Croix County Emergency Communication Center at 571-386-4701.
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NEW RICHMOND, Wis. (PRESS RELEASE FROM NEW RICHMOND POLICE DEPARTMENT)- On Wednesday, September 02, 2015, at 12:29 PM, the St. Croix County Emergency Communications Center dispatched the New Richmond Fire Department and the New Richmond Police Department to a single family dwelling, located at 1400 Hallewood Blvd, in the City of New Richmond, WI. Information was received that there was a smell of smoke at this residence, as well as the sound of water running. Upon entering the residence, the bodies of two deceased individuals were discovered by emergency personnel.
The bodies of an adult female, approximately age 30, and a juvenile female, approximately age 10, were removed to the Ramsey County Medical Examiner's office for an autopsy to determine cause of death and positive identification.
There is a suspect in custody in connection with this investigation. He has been identified as Cristian Daniel "Danny" Nunez-Ortega, age 37.
There is no on-going threat to the community. This is still an active and fluid investigation, and investigators continue to process the scene.
There is an area set aside for media near the residence at the corner of Paperjack Dr. and Hallewood Blvd., in the City of New Richmond.
The public is asked to contact the St. Croix County Emergency Communication Center at (715) 246-6131 to pass along any information to the New Richmond Police Department Investigators.
Assisting the New Richmond Police Department at the scene is the St. Croix County Sheriff's Office, St. Croix County Medical Examiner, WI Department of Justice/Division of Criminal Investigation, WI State Patrol, WI State Fire Marshall, and the New Richmond Fire Department.
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NEW RICHMOND, Wis. (KARE) --Police in western Wisconsin say one man is in custody in connection with the deaths of two people whose bodies were found Wednesday at a house fire in New Richmond.
Around 12:30 p.m., a person called 911 after smelling smoke and hearing water running inside the home in the 1400 block of Hallewood Boulevard. Responding officers entered the residence and found two people dead, a 30-year-old female and a 10-year-old female. Their bodies were sent to the Ramsey County Medical Examiner for positive identification and autopsies to determine cause of death.
Acting on leads, police arrested a 37-year-old man in connection with the deaths. They are telling local residents there is no continuing risk to the public.
Investigators are still on the scene Thursday morning processing evidence and working on the case against the suspect.