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Man Arrested & Charged After Human Remains Found In Cass County (ND)

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- The Ramsey County Sheriff's Office says a Lakeville man is in custody and has been formally charged after human remains were found in North Dakota Friday.

Timothy Barr, 51, is charged with manslaughter and duty in accident involving death or injury in connection to the disappearance of Michelle Newell.

Forty-five-year-old Michelle Newell of Vadnais Heights was reported missing in late August. Investigators say she was last seen traveling with Barr.

According to criminal complaints, Barr admitted to two police informants that he killed a woman who stole meth from him.

Records show Newell and Barr traveled to North Dakota together. Barr said that while in North Dakota, he took Newell in to the woods to find the drugs he believed she stole. She escaped and hid under his car. Barr then claimed to have accidentally driven over her and killed her.

According to the Ramsey County Sheriff's Office, human remains were found Friday in a rural Cass County, North Dakota location. Authorities say Barr provided the location to law enforcement.

It's unclear if the remains belong to Newell. The remains are at a medical examiner's office, who will assist in identifying them.

Barr is in custody and is awaiting extradition to North Dakota.

The investigation remains active.

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