Deceased Missing Mennonite Woman, 27, Found Dead 250 Miles From Home

[staysblazed_xo]

"Sasha Marie Krause, 27, was last seen leaving her Crouch Mesa home at 8 p.m. on Jan. 18, according to the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office in New Mexico. Deputies responded to Lamp & Light Publishers, a Mennonite bookstore across the street from Farmington Mennonite Church, at 3 a.m. on Jan. 19, at which point Krause was reported missing.

Statements from the sheriff's office said Krause's vehicle was quickly located at a church near her house, but she was nowhere to be found.

"Resources that Sasha would normally take with her, if she willingly left her residence, were left behind," statements said. Investigators considered Krause's disappearance to be "suspicious."

On Feb. 21, the the Coconino County Sheriff's Office in Arizona called officers in Krause's home county to report that a body matching hers had been found by a person camping near Sunset Crater National Monument. Deputies from the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office made the 270 mile trip to Arizona to assist in the investigation.

Three days later, an autopsy confirmed the body belonged to Krause, authorities announced. The medical examiner is still working to determine Krause's cause of death.

On Tuesday, San Juan County Sheriff Shane Ferrari said the investigation has become criminal, as authorities look to "identify and apprehend the individual that’s responsible for Sasha’s kidnap and murder."

Authorities have asked the public to report any suspicious activity they noticed in the area of Sunset Crater and nearby Wupatki National Monument.

Ferarri told Fox affiliate KSAZ in Phoenix that the case was peculiar from the start because Krause disappeared from a "very secluded" Mennonite community.

"They have a business, they live on site, and we never respond there very often for anything, so it struck us as very odd that we had someone missing, especially because you see them out in a group and having someone gone was very strange to us," the sheriff said.

The sheriff's office had spent weeks updating the public on the search for Krause.

Officers worked with the missing woman's relatives and members of the Mennonite community, an independent search-and-rescue team from out of state, volunteers and federal investigators. Crews first focused on the area surrounding Lamp & Light Publishing, using a tracking canine, then deployed a helicopter to search greater San Juan County.

"Detectives have obtained search warrants on cell phone records, bank statements, are continuing to interview potential witnesses and are using advanced, investigative technology and resources to locate Krause," the sheriff’s office said on Feb. 12, when it announced a $50,000 reward for information that could lead to finding Krause."

Link: Here!!

 

[Brillig]

Very sad. Even if you live a religious life, semi-removed from the world, the violence of the world can still touch you. It will be interesting to find out if it was an outsider or a fellow Mennonite. RIP, Sasha.

 

[Keepalowprofile]

I'm betting on evil close to home.

 

[Siobhan]

Very sad. Even if you live a religious life, semi-removed from the world, the violence of the world can still touch you. It will be interesting to find out if it was an outsider or a fellow Mennonite. RIP, Sasha.

You read my mind, @Brillig - this was either a stranger "blitz" type attack where she was caught off guard like a bash/snatch and run, or it was someone she knew.
The fact she was from a secluded community means she probably wouldn't have gone anywhere, even with another fellow Mennonite, unless actually she knew and trusted them, IMO.

I'm betting on evil close to home.

I think you're right @Keepalowprofile , perhaps even inside the family.
Mennonites, like the Amish, tend to marry within their specific communities, their different orders (low/high -Amish/German, etc.) according to each family's or sect's beliefs.
I'm NOT implying incest whatsoever, but each family usually has multiple family in-laws that are inter-married to other families, and they often choose to marry within one of their vast in-law families.

Being that Mennonites are more what we would consider "modern" in their customs, and usually not only own, but also drive their cars themselves*, have electricity and phones in their homes (or the phones are in barns), gives me some hope that she had a cell phone and this is part of what LE is working with in their investigation.

Being secluded doesn't necessarily equate to being over wary/suspicious of strangers or tourists, and these are people who, for the most part, do trust that even the "fancy" who trade with them, visit their communities and enjoy dining in their restaurants to be mostly honest and kind people, believing that God will keep them safe from violence and harm, just by their adhering to the beliefs and commitments they have made to God.
But for her to go with anyone "fancy" outside her community, again IMO, they would have to be someone she knew and trusted, ie: well known farm hands, or people employed elsewhere within her specific Mennonite community.




*Amish beliefs allow them to own cars/mechanical farm equipment, but prohibits them from driving motor vehicles/modern farm equipment themselves.
They also do not use electricity unless it's an absolute necessity for crops/livestock (never in the homes), do not have telephones at all (allowed to use, but not to own), nor curtains on their windows ("God sees all"), and never use buttons or zippers on their garments (hook & eye or similar hidden fasteners only).
Most Mennonites use all of these "modern" amenities, and Amish neighbors needing a phone for emergencies will usually go to the closest Mennonite home if it's faster than going to a pay phone.

 

[McDanel]

I'm hoping it wasn't a targeted attack on an innocent, like the Amish girl snatched from her family's fruit stand. If someone fancy drove up, map in hand to ask directions, I'm sure she would want to help.

I'd look really hard at any rejected suitors, if there are any.

 

[Old Man Metal]

Somebody got to little Laura Ingalls? Damn.

BOLO this bitch:

 

[Sejanus]

All they ask is to be left alone.

 

[EyEgOrE]

Just looking at the pic, I'd have guessed she was about 15.

 

[Satanica]

[....]
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) — An Air Force airman was arrested Tuesday in the death of a Mennonite woman whose body was found off a forest road in northern Arizona two months ago, authorities said.

Mark Gooch, 21, was taken into custody at Luke Air Force Base, where he is stationed in the Phoenix suburb of Glendale. He was being booked into jail in Maricopa County and eventually will be transferred to Coconino County, authorities said.

Authorities released few details about the case, citing the ongoing investigation.
[....]
It was unclear if Gooch has a lawyer.

Authorities said he traveled from Luke Air Force Base to Farmington during the time Krause went missing. They were still looking into any possible connection between the two.

“We don’t know that he was going there necessarily to seek her out,” said Coconino County sheriff’s Lt. Brian Tozer. “We just know he was there in Farmington.”
[....]
A Luke Air Force Base spokesman referred further questions about Gooch to the Air Force Office of Special Investigations, which did not immediately return a phone message.

Krause’s car was parked outside the Farmington church when she went missing. Authorities have said she disappeared after eating dinner with her roommates and was without her wallet, money, driver’s license or car.

San Juan County sheriff’s spokeswoman Jayme Harcrow said Tuesday that Krause was taken from the compound.

Her body was discovered Feb. 21 near Sunset Crater Volcano and Wupatki national monuments outside Flagstaff, more than 270 miles (434 kilometers) from where she last was seen. She was wearing the same clothing she had on outside the Mennonite church in Farmington.

Krause had injuries to her head that authorities believe led to her death, but they haven’t disclosed how she was killed. The Coconino County medical examiner’s office said an autopsy report isn’t available yet.

Airman arrested in death of New Mexico Sunday school teacher

Authorities say an airman has been arrested in the death of a New Mexico woman whose body was found off a forest road in northern Arizona two months ago.

apnews.com

 

[cubby]

He just couldn't resist her Mennonite sexiness.

Mennonite women wear plain dresses, little matching bonnet,their beautiful long hair pulled up into a bun under the bonnet, white socks and sneakers. Only goes to prove that some men (and some women, I'm not leaving them out) want what they want, doesn't matter who it is, or who it belongs to.

I hope the military prosecutes his ass, I don't know those particular rules, but if he is still an Air Force airman I think the military is in charge.

 

[BuffettGirl]

I feel kind of bad now. My brain screamed Mennonite culprit and it was an evil outsider.

 

[Alf]

I hope the military prosecutes his ass, I don't know those particular rules, but if he is still an Air Force airman I think the military is in charge.

If it happens off a military reservation, the civilian authorities are responsible. On the reservation, it's the military's responsibility.

--Al

 

[JackBurton]

What.....A....surprise!!!!

An AMerican serviceman YET AGAIN commits a horrific, violent crime!!!!

Can't beleive people STILL give me shit for bashing these assholes. Fuck the military, such fucking scum. Holy shit the most scumbags ive known in my life were from my time serving, and it's not even close.

Im thinkin she was hitting the social media, looking to get a break from the boredom of her mennonite life, met him that way. She agreed to drive off with him, at some point he tried making a go for the poon, and that sheltered mennonite upbringing showed its face and she said not so fast, him being an Airman no doubt forced it and raped her and then freaked out, killed her in an attempt to hide the crime.

OR, he simply was out for a drive in rural New Mexico, saw this girl, forcibly kidnapped her and murdered her.

You really can never know given military members. Serial killer types or your more mundane date-rape turned "witness disposal", who knows!

 

[cubby]

civilian authorities are responsible.

Wellllll poop!

 

[JackBurton]

Wellllll poop!

Why would you want the military prosecuting it anyways?

You realize the Federal govt pretty much doesn't execute anymore right, havent done anyone in since 62? Arizona is on a bit of a stall too, but they at least still have it on the books and their last justice was dealt FAR more recently in 2014.

The military is pretty soft on crime when they handle criminal prosecution. Not sure why/how anyone forms a different(aka incorrect) view on that.

 

[cubby]

Hey, I have a good reason

"Just Because"

it works for everything else

 

[orange_julius]

Why would you want the military prosecuting it anyways?

You realize the Federal govt pretty much doesn't execute anymore right, havent done anyone in since 62? Arizona is on a bit of a stall too, but they at least still have it on the books and their last justice was dealt FAR more recently in 2014.

The military is pretty soft on crime when they handle criminal prosecution. Not sure why/how anyone forms a different(aka incorrect) view on that.

Not true:

Timothy McVeigh - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

But I get what you’re saying. No doubt they would try to protect this frat boy loser somehow. People are so caught up in hero worship of the military, they forget that there are bad ones too.

 

[Satanica]

FLAGSTAFF, ARIZ. (AP) — The brother of a man charged in the death of a Sunday school teacher has been arrested after he flew to Arizona to pick up what he thought was a rifle used in the killing, authorities said Monday.

Samuel Gooch was taken into custody Sunday in the Phoenix area and booked into jail on suspicion of hindering prosecution and attempting to tamper with evidence.
[....]
Samuel Gooch made arrangements over the phone to fly from Wisconsin to Arizona get the gun he believed was used in the killing, the Coconino County Sheriff's Office said.

“Through the investigation, we believed it was his intention to come and get possession of that weapon and possibly destroy it,” said sheriff's spokesman Jon Paxton.

Authorities had collected the rifle from the home of one of Mark Gooch's friends and placed a nearly identical weapon at the home and waited for Samuel Gooch to pick it up before arresting him, Paxton said.

It was unclear if Samuel Gooch had an attorney who could speak on his behalf. Messages left with courts in Flagstaff and Maricopa County after the close of business Monday were not returned.

Authorities don't believe a family member traveling with Samuel Gooch knew about the plan.

The Air Force Office of Special Investigations and the Office of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms aided in the arrest of Samuel Gooch.

https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/arizona/articles/2020-05-04/brother-of-airman-facing-murder-charge-arrested-in-arizona

 

[JackBurton]

The entire family is rat trash

 

[LFODBiker]

The entire family is rat trash

You have no idea how right you are -

Virginia Trooper Resigns After Saying He Coughed on Driver to Spread Coronavirus

A Virginia State trooper assigned to Fairfax County has resigned after he claimed in a text message that he intentionally coughed on a driver to spread the coronavirus. A separate criminal investigation into the trooper also is underway. Trooper Jacob P. Gooch was placed on administrative leave...

www.nbcwashington.com

 

[Brillig]

So it was an ex-Mennonite killing a Mennonite after all.

 

[JackBurton]

So still no info on how they met. Was this former mennonite thing a way they started chatting one another up, perhaps a girl anxious to leave the community finding interest in talking to this dude who had left one himself?

OR, did this supposed grudge of mennonoites cause him to randomly just grab some mennonite girl and killing her?

 

[Sugar Cookie]

Jurors found an Air Force base airman guilty of kidnapping and murdering a Mennonite woman and leaving her dead in the wilderness. Based on those convictions, the judge adjudicated him guilty of theft.

Mark Gooch, 22, kidnapped Sasha Krause, 27, from her community near Farmington, New Mexico in January 2020, and brought her to a forest clearing outside Flagstaff, Arizona, authorities have said. At some point, he had bound her wrists, authorities said. Gooch bashed her head with his rifle and then shot the victim in the back of the head, prosecutor Ammon Barker told jurors in closing arguments on Friday.

Gooch actually grew up in a Mennonite community, but he “rejected” life there and joined the military, his father James Gooch testified in the Coconino County, Arizona, court. He harbored a deep resentment shared by at least one brother. Virginia state trooper Jacob Gooch told him he ticketed a Mennonite man, and wrote he coughed on the man to give him COVID. Mark Gooch cheered him on: “Fuck yeah.”

He was relishing in the suffering of a man he did not even know, Barker said. That’s what he did with Krause, the prosecutors said. (Jacob Gooch resigned over the text.)

This contempt flew in the face of his statements to law enforcement about why he was in Farmington, Barker said. He claimed he was there because he was missing the Mennonite community and wanted to join a church. Gooch was not mastermind, however, Barker said. He failed to cover up the evidence and told lies that did not hold up to scrutiny. For example, he claimed to have “swung by” a Mennonite church one afternoon to check out service times, but in truth, he was there for three hours and 31 minutes, Barker said.

Defense lawyer Bruce Griffen maintained that the state’s purported evidence was blown out of proportion or was otherwise slight. For example, he suggested that if Gooch really did hate Mennonite people, the record should have been far more robust then just two references over a four-year period. He maintained that Gooch really did have an interest in being part of the Mennonite community. Gooch was lonely, he said, and looking for community.

Air Force Airman Mark Gooch Convicted of Murdering Mennonite Woman Sasha Krause

Jurors delivered their verdict on whether they thought Mark Gooch murdered Sasha Krause.

lawandcrime.com

 

[cubby]

He maintained that Gooch really did have an interest in being part of the Mennonite community. Gooch was lonely, he said, and looking for community.

Bullshit! He was looking for someone he thought he could control and went to a Mennonite church to find one. Chickens always come home to roost. He went where he comfortable and sadly Sasha caught his attention.

 

[Sugar Cookie]

Last Name	First Name	Middle Initial
GOOCH	MARK	D.

Prison Release Date	Release Type
Projected Eligible Release Date
NATURAL_LIFE	SENTENCE EXPIRATION

Commitment and Sentence Information 2 records

Commit#​ Sentence Length​ Sentence County​ Court Cause#​ Offense Date​ Sentence Date​ Sentence Status​ Crime​ A01 099 Y/00 M/ 00 D Coconino County CR2020-00444 01/18/2020 01/19/2022 Imposed MURDER 1ST DEGREE​ A02 005 Y/00 M/ 00 D Coconino County CR2020-00444 01/18/2020 01/19/2022 Imposed KIDNAPPING​