Salem Police Department
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News Release
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3704CA83-5365-4556-9B5F-033B95FC421F.jpeg
Public's help sought for missing mother and child - UPDATE (Photo) - 05/24/19

UPDATE: May 24, 2019 at 5:30 p.m.

Salem, Ore.— 

The Salem Police Department has Michael John Wolfe in custody.

Wolfe is being charged with two counts of Aggravated Murder and two counts of Kidnapping. Final charges will be determined by the Office of the District Attorney of Yamhill County.

Salem Police investigators and other law enforcement partners continue the search for Karissa and William Fretwell in rural Yamhill County.

We still need the public’s help in locating Karissa and William. Please refer to the images previously released. Anyone with information regarding this case should call the Salem Police Department Tips Hotline at 503-588-8477.

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UPDATE on May 24, 2019 at 3:25 p.m.

Salem, Ore.— The Salem Police Department is holding a presser on the Fretwell case today, Friday, May 24, 4:30 p.m. at Salem city hall, 555 Liberty ST SE.

News outlets interested in participating should meet in council chambers located on the second floor.

Outlets who may find themselves delayed in traffic should call the PIO so we can make adjustments.

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UPDATE on May 23, 2019 at 3:00 p.m.

Salem, Ore.— The Salem Police Department has developed a person of interest in the disappearance of Karissa and William Fretwell.

Michael John Wolfe, age 52 of Gaston, Oregon, is sought for questioning by the Salem Police Department and the Yamhill County Sheriff’s Office.

Wolfe is a white male adult, 6’ 2” tall, and weighs more than 200 pounds. He has thinning brown hair and hazel eyes.

Investigators ask the public for help in locating Wolfe. Anyone with information about his whereabouts should call the Salem Police Department Tips Hotline at 503-588-8477.

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On May 17, 2019, the Salem Police Department was contacted by family members of Karissa Alyn Fretwell, age 25 of Salem, to file a missing persons report. Karissa’s family told police they had not seen or heard from her or her three-year-old son, William (Billy) Fretwell, since May 13.  

Karissa is a white female, 5 feet 9 inches tall, and weighs approximately 135 pounds. She has blue eyes and naturally blond hair that she dyes red.  

Billy is a white male, approximately 3 feet tall, and weighs approximately 30 pounds. He has blond hair and blue eyes.

Anyone with information about the case should call the Salem Police Tips Hotline at (503) 588-8477 and leave a message for Detective Jake Burke. If you know where Karissa and Billy are,please call the Salem Police Department non-emergency number at (503) 588-6123.

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