Midwest Murder Suspect Found In South Florida Extradited To Kansas
MIAMI (CBSMiami) – A woman jailed in Miami-Dade in connection with a murder in Kansas has been extradited.
Sarah Gonzales McLinn, 19, was extradited early Friday morning, according to Miami-Dade Corrections spokeswoman Janelle Hall.
Gonzalez McLinn is accused of killing her boss and housemate, 52-year-old Harold Sasko, at his Lawrence, KS home.
Gonzales McLinn waived her right to extradition at a hearing in Miami-Dade court Thursday.
It didn't take long for Kansas authorities to come and pick her up.
Investigators said Gonzales McLinn was found 10:30 Saturday night sleeping in the backseat of a car parked at the Visitors Center of Everglades National Park.
Police said the Nissan Altima she was in belonged to Sasko, who was found beaten to death with a sharp-edged object inside his home on January 19th.
Detectives said they think they have the murder weapon.
Reports indicate Gonzales McLinn was found with guns, knives and drugs in the car.
Sasko owned several Cici's Pizza franchises and Gonzales McLinn worked for him.
Those who knew the victim said he took her in because she needed help.
They said that's not uncommon for Sasko.
"All of his employees were like his kids. I mean, he cared about each one of us," former employee Heidi Evans told affiliate KCTV.
After Sasko's death, Gonzales McLinn disappeared.
At first, her family feared she was a victim, too.
Police did not name her a suspect until she was found safe.
When she eventually turned up six days later in the Everglades, she was taken into custody without incident.
The next day, she was charged with first degree murder.
"Based on the interviews and information we have to date, we believe the murder was committed with premeditation and intent," Douglas County District Attorney Charles Branson said in a press conference earlier this week.
Gonzales McLinn could face the death penalty if convicted.