By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY
Salina Post
A Salina man has been arrested in connection to the murder of Nathan Thompson who remains were found in Ellsworth County on July 19.
On Friday, the Salina Police Department announced that they had "developed Joseph Benton Houseman, 48 year old, of Salina as the suspect" in the case, according to a media release.
Houseman currently is in the Salina County Jail on unrelated charges.
He now faces the following requested charges of first degree murde, Aggravated arson, Arson, Felony interference with law enforcement and Criminal desecration.
On June 18, Salina police announced that they were investigating the disappearance of Thompson, 44, who hadn't been seen in more than a week. Police reported that on June 13, the Salina Fire Department responded to a trailer home fire at 1635 Elgin in west Salina. No one was in the trailer at the time the blaze was extinguished, however the fire was classified as an arson.
At the time of the fire, neighbors told police that Thompson had been living in the trailer, but had not been seen for approximately a week.
On June 22, Salina police released photos of a Chevrolet Express van that police believe was used in Thompson's disappearance and asked members of the public for any information they might have about it.
On July 23, the Salina Police Department announced that human remains found in rural Ellsworth County on July 19 were identifed as those of Thompson.