GRAFTON, Wis. — A New Berlin man was arrested and charged this week in connection to a Grafton homicide that occurred in March.
The Ozaukee County Sheriff's Office says the victim, Laeng Sanavongsay, was found dead in a vehicle on CTH C south of Tallgrass Drive in Grafton on March 4, 2023.
A suspect, 34-year-old Miguel Aponte, was arrested Tuesday, Sept. 26 in Milwaukee. He appeared in court on Friday and is now facing several felony charges, including first-degree intentional homicide, attempting to disfigure a corpse, and bail jumping.
The 49-year-old victim was from Texas and did not have any ties to Ozaukee County. An autopsy revealed he died from a gunshot wound.
- PREVIOUS REPORTING: Man who was found dead inside car in Grafton died from gunshot wound
The sheriff's office previously said the case appeared to be an isolated and targeted incident and believed the suspect knew or had a connection to Sanavongsay.
Sanavongsay's car was registered to a rental company out of Illinois. The sheriff's office says the car's interior suggests the car was on fire for a short period of time before it extinguished itself.
The sheriff's office previously said in a statement, "The area where the vehicle was discovered would appear to be a remote area for anyone who does not live there or for anyone who is not familiar with the area. The location is a rural area with a farm field bordering the east side of the roadway. It is believed this area was chosen specifically for its appeared remoteness."
The investigation is ongoing.
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