Just before his trial was supposed to begin, former Wisconsin cop Steven Zelich, who had been accused to murdering two women and leaving their bodies along a stretch of rural highway in briefcases, pleaded guilty to the murder of 19-year-old Oregon woman Jenny Gamez. Her body was found in June 2014.
A criminal complaint obtained by CBS affiliate WDJT reportedly stated the former officer killed the 19-year-old college student during a sexual choking game in August 2012. He then told police he hid her body in his home, a refrigerator and car for months before dumping it, according to the station.
Before Zelich was forced to resign from the Milwaukee police force in 2001, personnel records indicate at least six women had accused him of stalking and harassment while in uniform. He was told by the personnel investigator that had he not been a cop, he would have been charged with disorderly conduct.
Zelich is also accused of killing 37-year-old Laura Simonson. Her body was found in a suitcase along the same road. Charges for Simonson’s murder have been filed in Minnesota, the state where she was allegedly killed.
Sentencing for the former officer is set for March 30, 2016.
