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Murder Charges brought in Arson-Homicide Investigation
On Tuesday, June 28, 2016, Moorhead Fire and Police Departments responded to an active house fire at 1019 11 Avenue South in Moorhead. The structure sustained significant fire damage along with the discovery of a burnt body of a deceased individual during a subsequent extensive search through the large amount of debris. The Ramsey County Medical Examiner's Office later confirmed the identity of the victim as Melissa Jayne Willcoxon (49 years old from Moorhead). The death was considered of suspicious nature with the crime scene processed in partnership between Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, Fire Marshal, and local police and fire investigators.
Police publicly identified Justin Marshal Critt (39 years old) as a suspect. He has remained in custody in the Cass County, ND, jail on unrelated felony robbery charges and is now formally charged with Murder in Clay County. A complaint has been signed in Clay County District Court charging Justin Marshall Critt with 2nd Degree Murder of Melissa Jayne Willcoxon and 1st Degree Arson. Critt will remain in custody at the Cass County jail pending extradition to Clay County.
Moorhead Police Department
Lieutenant Tory Jacobson
218.299.5117