Erin Somvilai
Today, the La Crosse Police Department along with the La Crosse County District Attorney’s Office announces that Erik J. Sackett (DOB 11-25-1979) of La Crosse is being charge with First Degree Intentional Homicide as part of the Erin Somvilai investigation.
On June 4th La Crosse Police had received a complaint that Erin Somvilai had not been heard from for several days. La Crosse Police began a missing person investigation which continued until the discovery of Erin’s body on June 17th. Erin was found in Runge Hollow Lake in Vernon County by a local fisherman. La Crosse Police along with the Vernon County Sheriff’s Department recovered Erin from the lake and moved ahead with a homicide investigation. The determination to proceed as a homicide investigation was due to the suspect using concrete blocks to weight her body down so that she would not surface and be located. La Crosse Police took the lead on the homicide investigation and worked closely with the Vernon County Sheriff’s Office and the Wisconsin Division of Criminal Investigation who was called in to assist.
Over the last several weeks an exhaustive investigation was conducted into Erin’s death. As the investigation evolved, investigators evaluated information that they had received early on while Erin was still considered a missing person. A variety of information and circumstances led police to focus on a boyfriend of Erin’s, Erik Sackett. Erik was interviewed early in the missing investigation and provided statements to investigators which were later determined to be inaccurate. Additional focus on Erik revealed circumstances and evidence that confirmed to Investigators he was the suspect.
Erik Sackett
Erik Sackett has been held in the La Crosse County Jail on an unrelated parole warrant since June 12th and is expected to make an appearance in court on this charge tomorrow. Additional information and details will be made available in the criminal complaint at that time.
La Crosse PD Newsroom 