On Monday, authorities released the cause of death for Nebraska woman Amber Tjaden, who was found dead late Friday night inside her vehicle.
As CrimeOnline previously reported, Otoe County sheriff’s deputies found the vehicle belonging to 48-year-old Tjaden, of Weeping Water, in a rural area of Otoe County, between Elmwood and Unadilla.
Deputies found a body inside a 2019 black Jaguar model “F-Pace” vehicle with Nebraska license plate number, 20-T-638. Family members have reportedly confirmed that the body is of Amber.
Otoe County authorities said that Tjaden was found on the side of a road around 6 miles from Unadilla, in an area where cellphone reception is spotty. According to preliminary reports, there doesn’t appear to be foul play involved. Authorities said Tjaden likely died from cold exposure.
Authorities tried to make contact with Amber’s husband, Matthew Tjaden, last week to question him about his wife’s disappearance. ABC 7 reports that a child at Tjaden’s home told deputies that Matthew wasn’t home and gave the deputies the man’s number.
When police called the number, Matthew Tjaden allegedly said that he was “out looking for his wife and would not come back to speak with investigators.” He explained that his wife left home after an argument they had and he hadn’t heard from her since.
Tjaden, however, hadn’t reported his wife missing. When deputies questioned him, Tjaden said he thought he had to wait at least 48 hours before filing a report.
Deputies told Tjaden they would stay at his property until he arrived home. Tjaden reportedly became upset and screamed for deputies to “Get the f— off my property.”
When Matthew Tjaden returned home, he allegedly refused to drive up his driveway. He fled briefly after deputies put their cruiser lights on, but eventually drove back to his driveway, where he refused to cooperate with the deputies.
An arrest affidavit indicated that authorities used a Taser on Tjaden and arrested him for flight to avoid arrest and child neglect. The couple’s youngest children are now in state care.
Last Monday, Tjaden was released from jail. Authorities said he had been argumentative and changed his story several times.
Check back for updates.
Anyone with information on the case is urged to call the Cass County Sheriff’s Office at 402-296-9370.
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[Featured Photo: Amber and Matthew Tjaden/Police Handout]
