Authorities in Oregon have identified the father of a missing 3-year-old boy as the person of interest they’re seeking in the toddler and his mother’s disappearances.
The Salem Police Department announced Thursday that Michael John Wolfe, 52, is wanted for questioning regarding the disappearances of Karissa Fretwell, 25, and their son, William. The announcement came the same day authorities searched two rural properties in Yamhill County earlier Thursday—one in Gaston, the other in Hopewell—according to KOIN.
Child support documents indicated that Wolfe is the father of Karissa’s son. The Gaston property authorities searched Thursday belongs to Wolfe, the news station reported.
The Fretwells were reportedly last seen in Salem on May 13. On Thursday, authorities also obtained a search warrant to inspect Karissa’s SUV parked outside her Salem apartment. In the document, investigators stated that they’re looking for “evidence of criminal homicide” which could include the mother and son’s bodies, according to KOIN.
Clackamas County Sheriffs Office says they are assisting in a water dive search part of the missing persons case out of Salem. 25yo Karissa Fretwell and her son William have not been seen or heard from in more than a week. #LiveOnK2 pic.twitter.com/ZWrZPL64zv
— Kellee Azar (@KelleeAzar) May 24, 2019
Details regarding their disappearance are scarce, but the missing mom’s friend told the Salem Statesman-Journal that she spoke with the mother on May 11. Karissa Fretwell asked her friend about installing a security camera system at her home.
The friend said Karissa was “shy and awkward” when they met, but confident when speaking up during a class they attended together at Chemeketa Community College.
Karissa’s former roommate, Niccomi Holcomb, told KOIN that the 25-year-old met Wolfe at work and that Wolfe previously worked as a volunteer firefighter.
“I know they had some problems because he was married and she was a little scared of him,” Holcomb said. “Because after she got pregnant, he did threaten her at one time.”
MISSING MOM & SON: Investigators have been at the Gaston home of Michael Wolfe all night looking for clues in disappearance of Karissa Fretwell & their shared 3 y/o son, Billy. Young mom & son were last seen a week & a half ago. Wolfe IDed as person of interest in disappearance. pic.twitter.com/ORlBRkEYs4
— Tyler Dumont (@TylerDumontNews) May 24, 2019
Reports indicated that the Clackamas County dive team is searching a body of water in Yamhill County. It’s unclear what information led investigators to that area Friday.
[Featured image: Michael John Wolfe, Karissa Fretwell, and William Fretwell/Salem Police Department]
