May 23, 2013
A 21-year-old man from Chippewa Falls who was once connected to a murder investigation in California is no longer being held by authorities there. Nicholas Scarseth was released after a witness's credibility was called into question.
Scarseth's parents said two Sonoma County detectives apologized to them in person Wednesday morning, saying a coffee shop owner mistakenly identified a couple as the victims after the murders.
"I just hope that everything can work out for him," said Kara McClean, Scarseth's former teacher. "I think it's unfair, but it happens a lot."
Scarseth was considered a person of interest after two camp counselors were found shot to death on Aug. 18. When he heard a radio broadcast that officers were looking for him, he turned himself in.
