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Authorities release new information on body found in Menominee, Michigan

Posted at 10:37 AM, Mar 20, 2019
and last updated 2019-03-21 00:06:39-04

MENOMINEE, Mich. — UPDATED

A woman from South Dakota was reported missing in early March.

On Saturday, her body was found dismembered in a river in Menominee Township, Michigan.

According to court documents, she had an "on again, off again relationship" with Stephen Robert Falkenberg.

Authorities said Falkenberg is now in the Yankton County Jail, charged with second degree murder.

"Two boys were walking their dog, and they look over the side of the bridge and saw a body," said Sheriff Kenny Marks with the Menominee County Sheriff's Department.

The body was identified as 46-year-old Tamara LaFramboise.

"Tattoos found on the body helped us identify her," said Sheriff Marks.

Authorities said Falkenberg is originally from Menominee.

Court documents reveal the last known sighting of LaFramboise was March 1st.

"He is known to have made a trip here recently," said Jeffrey Rogg, the Chief Assistant Prosecuting Attorney in Menominee County.

Court documents reveal Falkenbergs brothers confirmed he was vising them in Michigan beginning March 1st, and that his brother's home is 1.4 miles away from the river LaFramboise's body was found in.

Court documents also show Falkenberg told his daughter he got in an argument with LaFramboise saying she swung a bat, then he pushed her, she fell, and hit her head. He reportedly told his daughter that LaFramboise was dead, and that he dismembered her so she wouldn't be identified.

Authorities in Menominee said she leaves behind her mother and kids.

"She was the mother of two young adult children. If you're a praying person, I would urge you to consider keeping their family in mind during the next difficult days, weeks, and months to come," said Rogg.

Falkenberg is expected to be in court Thursday morning.

He's currently being held on $1 million cash bond.

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Authorities have released new information on the case of a body found this past weekend in a Menominee, Michigan river.

In a news conference Wednesday morning, representatives from multiple law enforcement agencies revealed how the body of Tamara LaFramboise was found. Tamara's body was initially discovered by two boys walking their dog on Saturday. Authorities say the boys looked over the edge of a bridge and saw the body in the river.

According to information in the news conference, Tamara's head, feet and hands were missing. Authorities say they have not recovered the missing body parts, but the investigation is still open.

According to the Yankton County Sheriff's Office, a complaint was filed, charging Stephen Robert Falkenberg. He was arrested in Sioux Falls, South Dakota and has been charged with 2nd degree murder. Falkenberg is being held at the Yankton County Jail.

According to the criminal complaint, Tamara's mother told authorities that Tamara and Stephen were in an on-again, off-again relationship.

According to the Yankton County Sheriff’s Office, Stephen Falkenberg, will be in Yankton County court Thursday at 9 a.m. His bond is $1 million. He is still in custody in the Yankton County Jail.