Murder, or suicide? Both explored at Sackett court hearing

 
Police have a possible motive for the murder of a La Crosse woman, while the defense is arguing it might have been suicide. 

Both theories about the June death of Erin Somvilai, also known as Erin Bushek were discussed in court Wednesday, at a hearing for murder suspect Erik Sackett, her former boyfriend.

La Crosse Police Capt. Shawn Kudron says Somvilai reportedly threatened to accuse Sackett of rape, so he might be sent back to prison after his release for a previous crime. 

Kudron says he also is aware that Somlivai had expressed suicidal thoughts in the days before she disappeared from her La Crosse residence early in June. 

The woman’s body was found with concrete blocks tied to it in a Vernon County lake, two weeks later. 

Kudron testified that blocks very similar to those found with Somvilai’s body were discovered in a search of Sackett’s property. 

The defense argues that Somvilai was upset about Sackett seeing another woman, and made attempts to harm herself. 

An autopsy indicated that Somvilai was murdered. 

A medical examiner will be questioned when Sackett’s hearing resumes, sometime after Labor Day.