Salem police say Karissa and William Fretwell could still be alive. But Friday afternoon, they arrested Michael Wolfe, 52, and charged him with aggravated murder and kidnapping of the Salem woman and her 3-year-old son.
During a news conference, Lt. Treven Upkes said police arrested Wolfe on Friday afternoon in Portland. He will be lodged in the Yamhill County Jail. KGW News reported that Wolfe was arrested at Blue Star Donuts on Southwest 12th Avenue and Morrison Street in downtown Portland.
Upkes said police believe they have probable cause to charge him with murder. Wolfe is the biological father of William Fretwell, and court documents revealed that Wolfe had recently taken a paternity test and been ordered to pay more than $900 a month in child support.
“We work toward the worst possible scenario and hope for the best,” Upkes said. “We continue to hope for the safe return of Karissa and William.”
The two were reported missing May 17 and hadn’t been seen since May 13. Wolfe was announced as a person of interest on Thursday, and police said they were searching a property in Gaston, as well as a property in Hopewell, both in Yamhill County. On Friday they announced that dive teams were also helping search bodies of water in Yamhill County.
Upkes said police haven’t established the exact place from which the Fretwells were kidnapped. But he said they were last known to be in West Salem.
Upkes said Michael Wolfe’s wife was not missing but would not say whether his family members are part of the investigation or whether police have spoken to them. He said he did not know if Wolfe was cooperating with investigators.
—Jayati Ramakrishnan; 503-221-4320; jramakrishnan@oregonian.com; @JRamakrishnanOR
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