Suspect held in June double-murder

WASILLA — Federal officials are holding a suspect believed to have been involved with the June 5, 2016 double homicide of Wasilla residents Crystal S. Denardi, 30, and Ben G. Gross, 43.

Alaska State Troopers (AST) stated it had been actively investigating the case in conjunction with federal authorities included the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), U.S. Attorney’s Office, and the Palmer District Attorney’s office. Contacted Thursday afternoon, AST Public Information Officer Megan Peters said she was uncertain of where the suspect was being held.

The incident occurred at a property on West Coal Road in Meadow Lakes. When police and EMT personnel arrived at the location near Cloudy Lake in the early hours of June 5, they found an unattached garage/shop building fully engulfed. The bodies were found inside the structure. A third unnamed person was injured but treated and released from the hospital. Autopsies later revealed both Denardi and Gross had died from gunshot wounds.

Following the shootings, police stated they believed the two were selected for a specific reason. The Mat-Su Borough water rescue team also responded to gather possible evidence.

AST stated the suspect was taken into custody on unrelated charges. Officials would not release additional details because the suspect had not yet been charged in the case.