DES MOINES, Iowa—On September 22, 2018, the Webster City Police Department was dispatched to 639 1/2 Second Street #1 on the report of an unresponsive female.  The caller, Zackery Nelson Bassett, age 32, reported that his girlfriend, Andrea Sokolowski, age 50, was not breathing.

Sokolowski was transported by the Van Diest Medical Center Ambulance to the Van Diest Medical Center Emergency Room in Webster City, Iowa where she was pronounced dead.  An autopsy was conducted by the Iowa State Medical Examiner’s Office in Ankeny, Iowa, during which several suspicious findings were observed.  The manner and cause of death are not being disclosed at this time.

The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation was asked to assist with the investigation.  Other agencies assisting the DCI with the investigation include the Webster City Police Department, Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, Hamilton County Attorney’s Office, St. Joseph (Missouri) Police Department Street Crimes Unit and Warrant Unit, Elwood (Kansas) Police Department, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, Doniphan County Sheriff’s Office, and the Doniphan County Attorney’s Office.

On November 14, 2018, Zachary Bassett was arrested on a warrant for Murder in the First Degree in St. Joseph, Missouri.  Arrangements are being made to have Bassett transported to Iowa for an initial appearance.

It should be noted that a criminal charges is merely an accusation and suspects should be considered innocent until and unless proven guilty.

(contributed article, Iowa DCI)