A St. Paul man allegedly concealed a woman's body in a wooded area, according to charges filed Tuesday.

John R. Stanton Sr., 64, was charged in Ramsey County District Court with one count of interference with a dead body for allegedly moving Rahel Nigusse after she died, apparently of natural causes.

According to the complaint: Nigusse, 39, died about 9:30 a.m. on June 17 in Stanton's apartment on Minnehaha Avenue E. in St. Paul. Her body was discovered about 8:56 p.m. on June 21 behind the 1400 block of Reaney Avenue, not far from the apartment.

Police arrested and then released Stanton shortly after the body was discovered.

Stanton originally denied knowing anything about Nigusse's death, the complaint said, but later said she was a friend and had been staying with him. Stanton told police that Nigusse was at his apartment on June 17 when he left, and that when he returned, she was dead.

"Defendant panicked and stated that he was scared and 'didn't want another body found in his house,' " the complaint said.

Stanton's wife, Towanda Harris, was fatally stabbed in the apartment on May 10. Towanda Harris' ex-boyfriend, Willie J. Chestnut, has been charged with her murder. Stanton, Harris, Chestnut and Nigusse had been drinking when Harris and Chestnut began arguing. Chestnut allegedly stabbed Harris in the chest.

Chao Xiong