Midwest Murder Suspect Found Hiding Out In Everglades Now In Miami Jail
MIAMI (CBSMiami) – A woman wanted for murder in Kansas is being held in a Miami jail.
Sarah Gonzales McLinn, 19, is accused of killing her boss and housemate, 52-year-old Harold Sasko, at his Lawrence, KS home.
Gonzales McLinn appeared in Miami-Dade court Thursday for an extradition hearing.
"Do you want to waive or contest extradition," the judge asked.
"Um, waive would mean I just go back to Kansas. Yeah," Gonzales McLinn replied.
She ultimately decided to waive extradition and Kansas authorities have two weeks to pick her up.
Investigators said Gonzales McLinn was found at about 10:30 Saturday night sleeping in the backseat of a car parked at the Visitors Center of Everglades National Park.
Police said the Nissan Altima she was in belongs to Sasko, who was found beaten to death with a sharp-edged object inside his home on January 19th.
Detectives said they think they have the murder weapon.
Reports indicate Gonzales McLinn was found was guns, knives and drugs in the car.
Sasko owned several Cici's Pizza franchises and Gonzales McLinn worked for him.
Those who knew the victim said he took her in because she needed help.
They said that's not uncommon for Sasko.
"All of his employees were like his kids. I mean, he cared about each one of us," former employee Heidi Evans told affiliate KCTV.
After Sasko's death, Gonzales McLinn disappeared.
At first, her family feared she was a victim, too.
Police did not name her a suspect until she was found safe.
When she eventually turned up six days later in the Everglades, she was taken into custody without incident.
The next day, she was charged with first degree murder.
"Based on the interviews and information we have to date, we believe the murder was committed with premeditation and intent," Douglas County District Attorney Charles Branson said in a press conference earlier this week.
Gonzales McLinn could face the death penalty if convicted.
Her next court date in South Florida is set for February 14th if Kansas officers don't pick her up before then.
