By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY
Salina Post
A Salina man has been arrested in connection to the murder of Nathan Thompson.
This afternoon, the Salina Police Department announced that they had "developed Joseph Benton Houseman, 48 year old, of Salina as the suspect" in the case.
Houseman currently is in the Salina County Jail on unrelated requested charges. According to the Saline County Jail Daily Booking Activity Report, Houseman was booked into the Saline County Jail at 11 p.m. June 17 on requested charges of aggravated battery, aggravated kidnapping, and possession of stolen property-firearm.
He now faces the following requested charges in connection to the Thompson case, according to information from the Salina Police Department.
●First degree murder
●Aggravated arson
●Arson
●Felony interference with law enforcement
●Criminal desecration
On June 18, Salina police announced that they were investigating the disappearance of Thompson, 44, who hadn't been seen in more than a week. In information released on June 18, police reported that on June 13, the Salina Fire Department responded to a trailer home fire at 1635 Elgin in west Salina. No one was in the trailer at the time the blaze was extinguished, however the fire was classified as an arson.
At the time of the fire, neighbors told police that Thompson had been living in the trailer, but had not been seen for approximately a week.
On June 22, Salina police released photos of a Chevrolet Express van that police believe was used in Thompson's disappearance and asked members of the public for any information they might have about it.
On July 23, the Salina Police Department announced that human remains found in rural Ellsworth County on July 19 were identifed as those of Thompson.