2 suspects in Northfield-area murder arrested in Montana
The victim killed in the Northfield homicide, Chris LaFontaine.[Courtesy of family]
Two suspects in a Northfield-area homicide were arrested Friday in Montana.
The Dakota County Sheriff’s Office said Montana law enforcement arrested 29-year-old Nicholas Alan Taylor and 22-year-old Ryann Elizabeth Smith near the city of Laurel after a pursuit. They were wanted for murder in connection to the death of Chris LaFontaine.
Deputies responded to a reported burglary on Foliage Avenue in Greenvale Township at about 4:45 p.m. on July 2. A witness reported seeing three people run from the home before deputies arrived. Inside the home, authorities found LaFontaine, 55, already dead.
The sheriff’s office said two people — 36-year-old Timothy William Tuit and 25-year-old Stephanie Marie Peabody — were arrested by Northfield police shortly after deputies found LaFontaine. The third person who fled, later identified as Taylor, was able to evade law enforcement until Friday.
An investigation has indicated that LaFontaine and the suspects knew each other and the public isn’t in any danger. However, the investigation remains active.