Husband Of Woman Missing For 18 Years Charged With Murder
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- The husband of a Minnesota woman who disappeared nearly two decades ago has been charged with murder.
On Wednesday, Ramsey County Attorney John Choi announced the murder charges against 53-year-old Norman Bachman, who was arrested Tuesday. The charges include second-degree murder and first-degree manslaughter.
The White Bear Township man is charged in the death of his wife, Toni Bachman, who hasn't been seen since April of 1997.
Investigators said Toni Bachman was at home on her computer on April 25, 1997, when she emailed a friend saying her Norman was on his way home to continue an argument from earlier that day.
No one heard from her again.
Police suspected Norman Bachman of being involved at the time. However, despite multiple blood stains and splatter matching Toni Bachman discovered in their home, police did not have enough evidence to charge him with a crime.
Three years ago, investigators X-rayed the yard of a home in White Bear Township where the couple once lived. They also took parts of a basement drain to investigate.
Toni Bachman's body has never been found.
Surprisingly, there is no newly discovered evidence mentioned in the lengthy criminal complaint. But what is clear is that prosecutors do have a large amount of incriminating circumstantial evidence.
"(Wednesday's) charges represent a long-awaited call to justice for a grieving family," Choi said. "I want to thank the Ramsey County Sheriff's Office as well as my staff for their tireless work to bring this case before the court."
If convicted, Norman Bachman faces up to 40 years in prison for the murder charge and 15 years for the manslaughter charge.
