Charges in nanny-ad slaying delayed

A friend of the Savage teen being held in the death of Katherine Ann Olson expressed shock, describing him as "a pretty good guy."

By Chao Xiong, Star Tribune

Last update: October 29, 2007 - 8:59 AM

Charges have been delayed until Tuesday in the slaying of a 24-year-old Twin Cities woman who was answering an online ad for a nanny.

Authorities had said that charges against the 19-year-old suspect could have been filed today, but the Scott County attorney's office said today that they are more likely to come late Tuesday morning.

The man, from Savage, was arrested in connection with the death of Katherine Ann Olson.

Steve McCutchan, 20, said authorities questioned him Saturday about the suspect. "I was shocked," McCutchan said Sunday. "I couldn't see him doing something like this."

Savage police would not name the suspect but have described him as a 19-year-old Savage resident. Authorities have also said there is no threat to the public.

Olson was found dead in the trunk of her car at Burnsville's Kraemer Nature Preserve about 10 p.m. Friday. A State Patrol helicopter spotted her car after her purse was found earlier that day in a trash can at Pacer Park in Savage. A blood-soaked towel inside a garbage bag was also found in the trash can, according to Savage police.

As police remained tight-lipped about the case and a possible motive, several people used Craigslist.org to express dismay and plead with others to be careful when selling and soliciting goods and services online.

Olson's family has said she found an ad for a nanny job in Savage on the popular website.

She then went to the address thinking she'd be meeting with a married couple who had recently moved to the area, according to her father in a posting on Facebook.com.

On Sunday, a person wrote on Craigslist that she was Olson's friend.

"I want everyone to know that Katherine was a great person. I can't believe that someone would put an ad up on here looking for a nanny just to get the pleasure of killing someone."

Another post read, "Please warn anyone and everyone looking on Craigslist that not all ads are legit."

And other person wrote:

"I feel so sorry about what happened. I can't believe people are like this!! It's so scary. No one should ever, ever go into a stranger's house. ... Even if you speak to a so called employer over the phone. How do you know they are really looking for a babysitter?"

Special prayers

At Sunday services at Richfield Lutheran Church, where Olson's father, the Rev. Rolf Olson, is pastor, the congregation prayed for Katherine and her family. They also listened as a heartfelt letter from her father was read.

Family members have described the graduate of St. Olaf College in Northfield, as "a joy, who trusted people." She was an experienced nanny and had used Craigslist previously to find work, they said.

'A pretty good guy'

McCutchan said the suspect has used Craigslist.org to find parts for his go-kart and sport utility vehicle. He fixed up cars for fun, McCutchan said, and liked to play paintball, hang out, play video games, fish and go off-roading in his SUV.

"He's a pretty good guy," McCutchan said.

Calls to the suspect's home were not returned Sunday.

McCutchan said he, the suspect and their friends are familiar with Kraemer Nature Preserve, where they bike and fish regularly. Nothing seemed unusual or out of the ordinary with the suspect the last time the two friends last spoke about a week ago.

"He was happy, smiling, laughing," McCutchan said. "I don't believe it was him."

Services for Olson will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Christ Presbyterian Church, 6901 Normandale Rd., Edina. Visitation will be held from 1 to 2 p.m. at the church. There also will be a visitation from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Richfield Lutheran Church, 60th Street and Nicollet Avenue S., Minneapolis.

Staff writers Pamela Huey and Paul Walsh contributed to this report. Chao Xiong • 612-673-4391

Chao Xiong • cxiong@startribune.com

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