Murder suspect arrested

PALMER -- Alaska State Troopers arrested a suspect Friday in the recent shooting death of longtime Palmer resident Jane Sasseen, after video surveillance tapes reportedly showed him withdrawing her money from an automated teller machine.

William T. Horsey III, 52, of Palmer, was taken into custody at about 9 p.m. Friday, according to a trooper release. Troopers from the general investigation unit in Palmer and the criminal unit in Anchorage based the arrest on surveillance tapes taken from two ATMs in Palmer, where Horsey allegedly used Sasseen's debit card to withdraw about $4,500 over a period of nine days. He reportedly told troopers he used the money to buy drugs.

Troopers found Sasseen, 65, dead at her home at 10:22 p.m. April 7, after family members reported they had not seen her since April 1, the previous Monday. Sasseen's brother-in-law looked for her at her house earlier that day and, not finding her, called Sasseen's daughter, Laura Sasseen. Laura also searched the house for her mother and did not find her. The home was in disarray as if it had been ransacked by burglars, Laura Sasseen said, and she called the troopers.

Later that night, troopers were able to locate Sasseen's body inside a walk-in closet in the house. She had been shot three times, once in the head, according to court records.

According to the trooper release, Horsey went to Sasseen's home on the evening of April 2 and demanded money. Horsey reportedly made statements to troopers that he became upset with Sasseen and shot her, then hid her body in her closet.

Horsey then allegedly ransacked the house and found Sasseen's debit card, with its PIN number in her purse. He is believed to have withdrawn the $4,500 over a nine-day period, troopers stated in a release.

Troopers were able to recover what they believe to be the murder weapon, a .38 Special Smith & Wesson revolver.

Horsey was charged with first-degree murder, second-degree murder, first-degree robbery, second-degree theft and fraudulent use of an access device.

Jane Sasseen was a widow who lived alone off the Glenn Highway in Palmer. Her husband, Loren Sasseen, passed away Sept. 1, 1998, after they had been married 45 years. He had worked as a platting officer for the Mat-Su Borough.

Sasseen was born in Minnesota in June 4, 1937, and was brought to Alaska by her parents as an infant. Her parents, Harold and Lucille Stephan, arrived in Palmer after the Matanuska colonists in 1938 and purchased land in Palmer. Jane Sasseen graduated from Palmer High School where she met her future husband. The two had three daughters, Laura Sasseen, Julie Churchill and Yvette Talbott.

Jane Sasseen was well-known in the Valley for her quilting work and had many lifelong friends.