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News / Northwest

Disappearance of Oregon woman, 3-year-old son leads to arrest of father

By ANDREW SELSKY, Associated Press
Published: May 24, 2019, 8:34pm
3 Photos
FILE - This undated file photo provided by the Salem, Oregon, Police Department shows Karissa Alyn Fretwell and her 3-year-old son William “Billy” Fretwell, as they seek the public’s help in finding them. Authorities in Oregon say they’ve arrested Michael John Wolfe on murder and kidnapping charges following the disappearance of Fretwell, and the child, who hasn’t been heard from since May 13. The Salem Police Department said in a statement Friday afternoon, May 24, 2019, that Wolfe, the child’s biological father, was in custody.
FILE - This undated file photo provided by the Salem, Oregon, Police Department shows Karissa Alyn Fretwell and her 3-year-old son William “Billy” Fretwell, as they seek the public’s help in finding them. Authorities in Oregon say they’ve arrested Michael John Wolfe on murder and kidnapping charges following the disappearance of Fretwell, and the child, who hasn’t been heard from since May 13. The Salem Police Department said in a statement Friday afternoon, May 24, 2019, that Wolfe, the child’s biological father, was in custody. (Salem Police Department via AP, File) Photo Gallery

SALEM, Ore. — Police in Oregon arrested a man Friday on suspicion of murder and kidnapping following the disappearance of a woman and their 3-year-old son.

A search was continuing for the mother and son, but police had little hope they were alive.

Karissa Fretwell, 25, of Salem and her son William haven’t been heard from since May 13.

Michael John Wolfe, the child’s biological father, was arrested at a doughnut shop in the Portland area, Salem police Lt. Treven Upkes said at a news conference.

Photos of the suspect with a distinctive walrus mustache and thinning brown hair had appeared in newspapers and on TV news.

Wolfe, 52, of Gaston was arrested on suspicion of two counts of aggravated murder and two counts of kidnapping, police said.

“Everybody that’s been involved in this case continues to hope for the safe return of Karissa and William,” Upkes said.

The mother and son were last seen in west Salem, Upkes said. Her family reported them missing when she didn’t show up to work May 17.

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