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Arkansas police arrest suspect in Green Bay double homicide

Green Bay Police Department
Posted at 1:25 PM, Jan 29, 2023
and last updated 2023-02-02 17:42:19-05

GREEN BAY (NBC 26) — UPDATE: A 48-year-old Green Bay man, initially being sought as a person of interest in the suspicious deaths of two women on Green Bay’s east side, is in custody in Arkansas, and is now the suspect of a double homicide investigation.

Richard Sotka, II, of Green Bay is currently in custody as a suspect and is facing two charges of First-Degree Intentional Homicide, three charges of Bail Jumping and a charge of Criminal Damage to Property. He is currently being held at the Mississippi County Detention Center in Arkansas while awaiting extradition back to Wisconsin.

Sotka, who is believed to be known to at least one of the victims, was arrested on Sunday, just before 3 p.m. during a traffic stop in Arkansas after Green Bay Police contacted law enforcement to notify them that a person of interest may be traveling through the state.

The victims have been identified as Rhonda Cegelski, 58, of Green Bay and Paula O'Connor, 53, of Bellevue.

Rhonda Cegelski and Paula O'Connor

This does not appear to be a random incident.

Police say the investigation is ongoing and no additional information will be released at this time.

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The Green Bay Police Department is investigating the deaths of two people that occurred on the city's east side.

Officers were dispatched to a residence located in the 1600 block of Elkay Lane at around 11:15 a.m. The Green Bay Police Department states that upon arrival, two people were found deceased inside the home.

Police believe this is an isolated incident and there is no threat to the public.

The scene is still active and more information will be released as soon as the investigation allows.

Anyone with information related to this case is encouraged to call Green Bay Police at (920) 448-3200 and reference case #23-205264. Those wishing to remain anonymous can call Crime stoppers at (920) 432-STOP (7867). You may also submit a tip online at www.432stop.com, or utilize the "P3 Tips" app for crime tips.