Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Woman found strangled in Mich. grave; Man charged


Associated Press

11:42 AM CDT, June 9, 2009

NOVI, Mich.

A Livingston County man is accused of killing a Wixom woman who was found strangled and buried in a 4-foot grave in northern Lower Michigan.

Forty-nine-year-old Joseph Damian Susalla of Genoa Township was arraigned Tuesday on a charge of first-degree murder.

The Livingston County Daily Press & Argus of Howell reports Susalla is accused of killing 50-year-old Kelly Marie Durberg.

Police say the Wixom woman was found Friday naked and wrapped in plastic in a shallow grave in Crawford County's Beaver Creek Township, about 45 miles east of Traverse City.

Investigators say Susalla and Durberg were dating but had a history of disputes.

Susalla is being held without bond. He requested a court-appointed attorney and will be back in court June 16.

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