Former officer to enter plea in suitcase slaying

Published 10:09 am Monday, August 18, 2014

KENOSHA, Wis. — A former police officer accused of killing two women and hiding their remains in a pair of suitcases is due back in a Kenosha County courtroom.

Steven Zelich is expected to enter a plea today to charges of first-degree homicide and hiding a corpse in the death of Jenny Gamez, of Cottage Grove, Ore.

A criminal complaint says the 52-year-old former West Allis officer killed the 19-year-old college student during a sexual choking game and then hid her body in his home and car for months before dumping it in Walworth County in early June.

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Zelich also is a suspect in the death of a Farmington woman. Her remains were found in a second suitcase also found by highway workers in Walworth County.