A 36-year-old Dillingham man has been charged with murder and robbery in the death of a woman in the Southwest Alaska community in February 2015.
Brian V. Clark made an initial court appearance Wednesday at the Anchorage Correctional Complex. The state charged him with first-degree murder, two counts of second-degree murder and robbery, according to online court records.
A local resident called the Dillingham police on Feb. 7, 2015, and reported they had found the body of 55-year-old Ella Olsen.
"Police officers responded to Olsen's residence and it appeared Olsen was beaten to death," prosecutors said in a release.
The State Medical Examiner Office determined Olsen died from blunt-force trauma to her head and body, prosecutors said.
The Dillingham Police Department continued its investigation over the past 18 months, aided by the cooperation of residents and businesses. Prosecutors did not explain in the release how Clark was tied to the homicide.
Law enforcement officers arrested Clark in Anchorage on Tuesday. His initial bail was set at $500,000.
Clark faces a sentence of up to 99 years in prison if convicted.