CASS COUNTY, NORTH DAKOTA: A Man for North Dakota has been nabbed and charged with murder in connection with his wife's death after he allegedly told the police that that after an argument with her, she "face-planted" on the stairs.
It is unclear if Spencer Moen has admitted guilt or innocence to those charges, according to records.
Who is Spencer Moen?
Moen is currently being held at the Cass County Jail and faces charges of murder and contributing to the deprivation or delinquency of a minor, according to records.
According to the North Dakota District Court records, the 31-year-old was arraigned on Monday, August 14, and will return to court for a preliminary hearing in late September, per People.
According to the local newspaper, the Grand Forks Herald, Moen allegedly informed the responding officers that his wife, Sonja, had chosen to sleep in the bathtub and had never woken up when he had called the police early in the morning.
Did Spencer Moen assault his wife Sonja?
The newspaper reported that Sonja was pronounced dead at the scene. According to authorities, Moen claimed in a police interview that after his wife had picked him up after dark at a nearby golf course the night before and they had argued while drunk.
Police said that Moen's right hand had visible bruises, while the left side of Sonja's face, forehead and both eyes were bruised and swollen shut, according to The Herald.
According to the newspaper, Sonja reportedly had bruises on the backs of her hands, which police said typically denoted defensive wounds.
A GoFundMe has been set up for Sonja's three children. It reads, "I am Elise Smith and on behalf of our entire family, we thank you for your love and support during this impossibly difficult time."
"I know the community is eager to help and this is one way we thought would be best. Moving forward we are going to have funeral and legal expenses as well as trying to provide the best care and love possible to Sonja’s three children," the fundraiser further stated.
The fundraiser added, "If you feel compelled please leave a donation of your choosing and know we are all incredibly grateful for the love and support."
Brady Zins, a former neighbour, told Valley News Live that given Moen's prior actions, he was "kind of shocked but not surprised" to learn of the murder.
Zins said, "The kids were always out always playing, and you know the wife was always super nice, waved to her all the time when I'd come home but my interactions with him were never great, I don't think I had one normal civil conversation."
"It's sad because the interactions I always had with them, they seemed like they were always playing, having a good time. It's just extremely sad," Zins added.
Was Spencer Moen arrested earlier ?
According to the North Dakota District Court records, Moen was detained in 2019 on suspicion of felony assault. Due to Moen's not-guilty plea, the case was dropped.
