Morrison County Sheriff’s Office
March 8, 2022
The Morrison County Sheriff ‘s Office along with the Motley Police Department and Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, continue to investigate an incident that was reported to the Morrison County Sheriff’s Office at 9:40am on March 6th, 2022.
The Sheriff’s Office received a 9-1-1 transfer from an individual stating that he received a phone call from his friend, who indicated that he killed his girlfriend. The Sheriff’s Office and the Motley Police Department responded to the address of 689 Hwy 10 South, in the city of Motley. Once at the residence, law enforcement authorities were able to make contact with a male subject. The subject was detained while authorities searched the residence. While searching the residence, law enforcement authorities discovered a deceased female inside. The male subject was taken into custody and the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension was called to assist with the death investigation.
The deceased female located inside the residence was transported to the Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office for an autopsy. The Sheriff’s Office has been notified by the Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office that the cause of death was blunt head and chest trauma and the manner of death has been ruled a homicide.
The deceased party was identified as 66-year-old Christine Nygard. The male suspect arrested has been identified as 60-year-old Harold Wassather. Nygard and Wassather were in a relationship and resided together at the residence.
The Morrison County Attorney’s Office has formally charged Harold Wassather with 2nd degree murder. Even though formal charges have been made, authorities are continuing to investigate the incident. Because the investigation is ongoing, no further comments will be made. Authorities want to remind the public that they believe this was an isolated incident and there is no known threat to the public.
Morrison County Sheriff Shawn Larsen stated: “Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victim’s family for this senseless act of violence and to the First Responders that investigated and processed the scene. The victim tragically lost her life to domestic violence, which could have been prevented.”