A Minnesota father returned from a two-week vacation to find his home in disarray, with what he initially thought was brown paint splattered throughout. During a lunch break from work, he discovered a man in a hazmat suit tearing up the carpet in his basement. The bizarre series of events led to the arrest of his daughter, 25-year-old Josephine Ann Powers, who is now accused of the second-degree intentional murder of a 70-year-old man.
According to the Dakota County Attorney’s Office and a statement of probable cause, Powers allegedly shot Michael Robert Riccio in the head following an argument. The incident reportedly occurred at least nine days before Powers called the police on July 18 to report the shooting. Witnesses claim that after the shooting, Powers panicked, running around the house and attempting to clean up the blood.
Powers’ father, identified as Witness 1, told the Burnsville Police Department that two days after seeing a man in a hazmat suit cleaning up his house, he woke up to the smell of bleach and ammonia. Despite the unusual circumstances, he left for work. Upon his return, he was informed by his daughter’s friend, Witness 2, that Powers had shot Riccio while he was away on vacation.
Police officers who arrived at the residence noted a strong smell of bleach and observed what appeared to be recently patched bullet holes in the hallway. Powers allegedly told the officers that a man named Christopher Michael Hawkins had helped her move Riccio’s body from the house, possibly in a large gray container, to a shed in Minneapolis.
Investigators later found Riccio’s remains in a large gray container in the shed, confirming that he had been shot once in the head. After being read his Miranda rights, Hawkins reportedly told authorities that Powers had asked him to help move a package in exchange for a truck. He also claimed that when he arrived at Powers’ home, Riccio’s body was wrapped in garbage bags and rugs.
Court documents reveal that Hawkins admitted to helping Powers clean up the blood and shared what Powers had told him about the incident. According to Hawkins, Powers said she shot Riccio because he was bothering her and she couldn’t take it anymore. She allegedly used a pistol given to her by a friend who was present during the shooting.
Another witness, Witness 4, told police that they heard Powers and Riccio arguing before the shooting. They claimed to have seen Powers throw things at Riccio before grabbing a handgun and shooting him. Powers then allegedly panicked and ran around the house.
Powers’ bail was set at $1 million without conditions or $750,000 with conditions, including no contact with Riccio’s family or any witnesses, surrendering any firearms, abstaining from drugs and alcohol, and remaining in Minnesota. Her court appearance was scheduled for August 1. Hawkins, meanwhile, is currently held in Hennepin County Jail on unrelated burglary charges, with a warrant issued for his transfer to Dakota County Jail upon his release.