NORTH PLATTE, Neb.-The North Platte Police Department has made an arrest in a homicide investigation that began earlier this month.
On the morning of March 3, 2020, officers responded to the report of a possible drowning in a pond located on the property of the Walmart Distribution Center, in the 3000 block of East State Farm Road.
At a news conference on Thursday, North Platte Chief of Police Daniel Hudson said it was quickly apparent that the death was a homicide and an investigation was launched.
An autopsy was conducted and the victim was identified as 42-year-old Kimberly Ermi of Greeley, Colorado. Chief Hudson said the cause of death was determined to be multiple gunshot wounds.
According to Chief Hudson, once investigators identified Ermi, they were able to gather information that identified Ermi's fiance, 40-year-old William Stanback, of Greeley, as the suspect.
On the morning of March 18, investigators with the North Platte Police Department with assistance from the Greeley, Colorado Police Department served search warrants and conducted numerous in-person interviews in Greeley. Stanback was taken into custody on unrelated charges in Colorado, then extradited to North Platte in connection with Ermi's death.
On Thursday morning, the Lincoln County Attorney charged Stanback with first-degree murder and use of a deadly weapon to commit a felony.
Police say Investigators have reason to believe that Stanback went from the eastbound Interstate 80 rest area near Brady to Gothenburg, during the early morning hours of February 28.
Chief Hudson says police are asking anyone who may have given Stanback a ride, observed him at the eastbound or westbound Brady rest areas or observed him crossing I-80 on foot to contact the North Platte Police Department.
Additionally, Chief Hudson says investigators are looking for anyone who may have observed a black 2018 Jeep Compass with Colorado license plates "CIJ 718." Chief Husdon says the vehicle would have been occupied by Stanback and Ermi. In addition to possibly being in the Brady and Gothenburg areas, investigators believe the couple made a brief stop in York, Nebraska during the early morning hours of February 28.
Police would not comment on where they believe the crime occurred or whether or not the murder weapon has been located. They do not believe Stanback or Ermi had any ties to the area.
Hudson said the investigation is far from over, but he hopes the arrest will begin the closure process for Ermi's family.
Hudson thanked the Lincoln County Attorney's Office, Gothenburg Police Department, Greeley, Colorado Police Department, the Nebraska State Patrol, York Police Department, Dawson County Sheriff's Office, Cape Peril, Florida Police Department, Castle Rock, Colorado Police Department, Lincoln County Underwater Dive Team, Nebraska State Crime Lab and numerous officers and investigators for their continued cooperation in this ongoing investigation.