– Former mayor charged with triple homicide in South Dakota town
– South Dakota mayor accused of triple murder.
Accident – Death – Obituary News :
A former small-town mayor in Centerville, South Dakota, has been charged with murder following a tragic triple killing that took place last week. The suspect, Jay Ostrem, 64, was arrested and charged with three counts of first-degree murder after a shooting incident that shocked the small community.
According to reports, the motive behind the deadly shooting was revealed when Ostrem’s wife informed him that she had been assaulted by a neighbor, Paul Frankus. This revelation apparently enraged Ostrem, leading to the tragic events that unfolded on the night of 27 May in Centerville, a town located about 40 minutes outside of Sioux Falls.
Local police shared that Ostrem’s wife had accused Frankus of forcibly kissing her and exposing himself on 23 May, just days before the triple killing. Upon hearing about the alleged assault, Ostrem reportedly became upset and left the house in a rage.
The situation escalated when Zach Frankus, the brother of the alleged assailant, called the police to report the shooting. When authorities arrived at the scene, they discovered three men dead from gunshot wounds. The victims were identified as Paul Frankus, Zach Frankus, and Timothy Richmond.
Ostrem, who was found leaving the scene of the shooting, was apprehended by the police. He was reportedly in possession of multiple firearms and had a strong smell of alcohol on him at the time of his arrest.
It was revealed that Ostrem had served as the mayor of Centerville from 2009 to 2011 before resigning from his position. Prior to his tenure as mayor, he had also worked as a police officer in Wyoming and South Dakota.
The tragic incident has left the small town of Centerville reeling, with residents expressing shock and disbelief over the events. Mark Weets, a local resident, mentioned that such violence was unheard of in their community, stating, “Never in a million years would have ever guessed anything like this would happen.”
The case has drawn attention to Ostrem’s past, including a federal lawsuit for sexual harassment filed by the former police chief of Centerville, Rachel Kopman. The lawsuit alleged that Ostrem had made unwelcome and degrading gender-based comments during his time in office.
As the investigation into the triple killing continues, the residents of Centerville are left grappling with the aftermath of the senseless violence that has rocked their tranquil community.
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1. Former mayor South Dakota town charged triple killing South Dakota
2. Former mayor South Dakota town charged triple killing former mayor South Dakota.
