Updated Story 9/9
Today the Brown County Sheriff's office released new details about the arrest of a man connected to the murder of a Ledgeview woman back in May. At that time the victim, Nicole VanderHeyden was found dead near a cornfield in Bellevue. Today investigators say George Burch has been tied to the scene of the crime with forensic evidence and is currently their only suspect in the crime right now.
Brown county investigators have been working the murder case of Nicole VanderHeyden now for about three months.
"Allowing the evidence to lead us to the person responsible for that and we believe we have that person now," says Chief Deputy Todd Delain of the Brown County Sheriff’s office.
About two weeks ago there was a break in the case when George Burch of Virginia became their only suspect right now in the case.
"There's forensic evidence that lead us to Mr. Burch," adds Delain.
Burch hasn't been charged with a crime, but was arrested this Wednesday on probable cause.
"Through our investigation we are now able to place Mr. Burch on South Broadway when and where Nicole was last seen. We were also able to place Mr. Burch at the location of the homicide, the location Nicole's body was found and the location where additional evidence was recovered," says Captain David Poteat of the Brown County Sheriff’s office.
Today investigators believe that they have enough evidence against Burch to formally charge him in court late next week.
"The Wisconsin Crime Lab has been conducting numerous tests from various pieces of evidence we're submitted in this case," adds Captain Poteat.
“The Brown County Sheriff's office has and will continue to put a tremendous amount of resources in finding justice for Nicole," says Delain.
And while most of the details of their investigation remain sealed under court order as to not compromise their investigation, investigators remain confident that they are getting closer to solving this case. In the meantime Burch will remain in jail on a two million dollar bond as charges are expected to be filed on the 16th of September.
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Original Story...
A judge found probable cause on a charge of first degree intentional homicide to hold 38-year Stephen Burch in connection with the murder of Nicole Vanderheyden.
A $2 million bond was set Thursday and the probable cause statement was sealed.
Burch was booked into the Brown County Jail on Wednesday. He has not been formally charged, although the District Attorney said a criminal complaint will be filed Sept. 16. Vanderheyden, of Ledgeview, was killed in May, her body found in a farm field.
Brown County authorities plan to discuss the case at a news conference scheduled for 10:00 AM Friday morning.
