Evidence suggests the Grand Forks Police Department (GFPD) did not even conduct an investigation in the death of Caitlin Erickson.
Erickson, 28, Grand Forks, was found dead in her apartment on February 27, 2015.
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| Caitlin Jenna Erickson |
On May 27, 2016 Write Into Action reported, for the first time ever, that Erickson’s neighbors heard a fight between male and female voices in Erickson’s apartment on the night she died. The neighbors recognized the voices to be that of Erickson and a male friend, Mario Parson, as well as loud banging sounds in the apartment.
Write Into Action has since acquired the body-cam video of a GFPD officer interviewing the next-door neighbors/witnesses Desiray Gomez and Juan Griego-Chavez.
The body-cam revealed something that was not in the police report – it revealed the actual length of time the loud noise and ruckus was heard. Gomez told GFPD Cpl. David Buzzo the arguing and noise was heard for almost “thirty minutes straight.”
Write Into Action used the public records provided by the GFPD to develop a timeline around events that occurred before and after Parson’s 911 call reporting he had found Erickson unresponsive.
However, a timeline cannot be built because the police records don’t contain even the most basic information to follow the times of Parson’s supposed movements.
In fact, the lack of follow-up on Parson’s alibi/story by police, is so disturbingly pronounced, that it actually appears special efforts were made to make sure the information was not obtained.
On June 4, 2016 Write Into Action submitted the following questions to the GFPD.
Lt. Derik J. Zimmel
Office of Professional Standards
Grand Forks Police Department
701.787.8184
701.740.0763
dzimmel@grandforksgov.com
June 2, 2016
Lt. Zimmel,
I have reviewed the public records you have provided me regarding the police investigation into death of Caitlin Erickson. It is my understanding the documents you provided completes my open records request.
However, in the best interest of everyone involved in a matter as sensitive as a death; I want to be thorough. Therefore, I am going to ask about specific records or documents I might have expected to see in the official police record, but didn’t.
Is there any record of the police interviewing the man named “Mike” from the Mission who Mario Parson said he telephoned while he was attempting to revive Caitlin Erickson in her bathroom shower?
Is there any record of the police identifying or interviewing the man Mario Parson said was his friend that called him about going drinking on the day Caitlin Erickson was found dead?
Is there any record of the police identifying or interviewing the un-named man Mario Parson said he met at El Roco’s after leaving Caitlin Erickson’s apartment, and before finding her unresponsive?
Is there any record of the police interviewing Caitlin Erickson’s ex-boyfriend that wanted $500 from Caitlin on the day she was found dead?
Is there any record of investigation into the two ATM transactions made by Mario Parson on the day Caitlin Erickson was found dead?
Is there any record of investigation of the Western Union money transfer made by Mario Parson the day Caitlin Erickson was found dead?
Are there any investigative records of any kind regarding the cell phone of Mario Parson, which memorialize the time of relevant telephone calls Parson said he made around the time of Caitlin Erickson’s death?
Respectfully,
Timothy Charles Holmseth
Investigative Journalist/Author/Publisher
Timothy Charles Holmseth
320 17th Street N.W.
Unit# 17
East Grand Forks, MN
56721
218.773.1299
218.230.1597 (cell)
www.writeintoaction.com
tholmseth@wiktel.com
“The records we have in our possession that may be released have been released to you,” Zimmel replied.
WHY WRITE INTO ACTION IS INVESTIGATING CAITLIN’S DEATH?
Write Into Action’s interest in the death of Caitlin Erickson was not the result of any news coverage (because none occurred). No stand-alone news item (which is industry standard) was ever published announcing Erickson’s February 27, 2015 death.
Write Into Action began investigating Erickson’s death after obtaining the North Dakota BCI investigative records into the police pursuit and shooting of David James Elliott, which occurred on February 27, 2015.
The BCI records regarding the Elliott pursuit and shooting mentioned an “overdose death” that occurred in the exact same time-window as the Elliott event.
On March 22, 2015 the Grand Forks Herald published a mammoth feature about Erickson’s death saying she died “after battling alcoholism” while never once mentioning that drugs that were found in Erickson’s apartment.
According to a GFPD report filed by Sgt. Bill Wyatt, he received the Autopsy results of Erickson’s death on April 16, 2015, which said the Cause of Death was “Multidrug and Ethanol toxicity.”
The Manner of Death was “Undetermined.”
The Herald feature was a disinformation 'cover story' to obfuscate the drug connection.
David Elliott, the unarmed man shot in the head by a UND police officer in the Altru parking lot on the night in question was found to be in possession of “thousands” or prescription pills.
The Erickson death investigation was filed “inactive” on May 21, 2015.
Write Into Action believes there is a cover-up regarding a drug trafficking network that will implicate North Dakota Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem.
Write Into Action continues to investigate.
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