CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – The body found near Amana Lily Lake over the weekend has now been identified as that of a Marion woman. Investigators say Melody Hoffman, 20, was found Sunday morning near the picnic area of the lake. A man from Hiawatha, McKinley Louisma, 23, is in the Linn County jail on charges of first-degree kidnapping and conspiracy to commit forcible felony. Court filings detail what investigators say happened after Louisma picked Hoffman up at 11:00 p.m. Saturday. Investigators used data from Hoffman’s iPhone and Apple watch to piece together the story. They determined Hoffman was at Morgan Creek Park in Linn County when her Apple Watch recorded her heartbeat intensify before “it either stopped or the device deactivated.” Louisma told investigators he and another unidentified person bound Hoffman’s wrists with duct tape, put her in the trunk of the car, and drove to several locations until they reached Lily Lake in Amana. Louisma admitted Hoffman begged to be let go, was beaten, and had numerous stab wounds. The Iowa State Medical Examiner’s Office says the preliminary cause of death was strangulation. Court documents show Louisma was part of two previous investigations involving accusations of violence. One was in Manchester involving sexual assault. The other was in Cedar Rapids claiming Louisma attacked a man, causing serious injury. Louisma was out on bond when investigators say he kidnapped Hoffman.
WASHINGTON, Iowa (KCRG) – On Tuesday, the Washington City Council voted unanimously to accept the resignation of Mayor Jaron Rosien. It comes after Rosien was charged with third-degree sexual abuse last year. The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) conducted an interview with a 27-year-old male who alleged he was sexually abused by Rosien at a bar on January 8, 2023. Investigators say surveillance footage from the bar shows an individual believed to be Rosien approaching the victim at approximately 1:39 a.m. on that day. Footage shows the individual making sexual contact multiple times with the victim. According to the criminal complaint, Rosien told officials he had behaved “flirtatiously” with an individual matching the victim’s description, but that he could not recall specific incidents due to his own level of intoxication. Rosien has pleaded not guilty to the charge. A jury trial is planned for May 21. The Washington City Council also voted to hold a special election to choose a new mayor. The special election is tentatively set for April 30th.
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – Big Grove Brewery has announced they are joining forces with Climbing Kites, Iowa’s first cannabis-infused sparkling water, in the hopes of expanding distribution for the beverage. Climbing Kites was launched in early 2023 by the Des Moines-based Lua Brewing. The drink contains no alcohol but does contain THC – the part of the marijuana plant that gives you a high. Current flavors include Mixed Berry, Pineapple Passion Fruit, Orange Mango, and Peach Prickly Pear. The current offerings from Climbing Kites feature different flavors at 2.5mg, 5mg, 10mg, and 15mg THC with varying CBD levels. Climbing Kites plans to introduce a Grapefruit Guava flavor that contains only THC and a Key Lime Kiwi flavor that includes caffeine.
QUASQUETON, Iowa (KCRG) – On February 18, 2024, at approximately 3:10 am, emergency crews responded to the 700 block of E Cedar Street for a report of a residential fire. A responding deputy arrived to find flames coming from the windows and soffit of the home. Two bystanders pointed to a window with flames coming from it and told crews that they were aware that a female resident lived there and that was her bedroom. The deputy looked for an entry point, but due to the significant heat and smoke, no immediate entry could be safely made. Once fire crews arrived, and the fire was contained, crews located a female inside the residence. Life-saving measures were attempted but she was later pronounced deceased. The victim was identified as 69-year-old Kathryn Marie Crawford. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
