Early, IOWA — Law enforcement in western Iowa continue to investigate the suspicious death of a western Iowa woman whose remains were discovered while officers were investigating the alleged kidnapping and attempted sexual assault of another victim.
At approximately 8:00 AM on the morning of Thursday, January 3, 2013, the Sac County Sheriff’s Office responded to Hwy 20 and Ira Avenue, two miles west of Early, Iowa to investigate an alleged kidnapping. Law enforcement had received a 911 call from a local citizen who had encountered a 21 year old woman attempting to flee a vehicle and claiming she had been kidnapped. Once at the intersection of Ira Avenue and Hwy 20, law enforcement officials made contact with the victim and determined the suspect had fled on foot. A search of the area was conducted and sheriff’s deputies located 21 year old Kirk Riley Levin hiding in a nearby barn. Levin was taken into custody without incident.
The victim reported that Levin showed up at her Storm Lake residence at approximately 6:30 AM and initially asked her for a ride. Levin took her out of Storm Lake, to a residence at 2242 Ira Avenue, in Early, Iowa. This residence is approximately one-half mile away from the roadside where the victim was discovered by the citizen and law enforcement. The victim reported Levin held her against her will and informed her she was being kidnapped.
Levin is currently being held at the Sac County jail where he is facing charges of assault with intent to commit sexual abuse (class D felony), assault while participating in a felony (class D felony), and 3rd degree kidnapping (class C felony). Levin is being held on $20,000.00 bond.
While conducting the investigation in to the alleged kidnapping, authorities discovered the deceased body of another female at 2242 Ira Avenue. Currently this death is being treated as suspicious in nature and an autopsy will be conducted by the Iowa State Medical Examiner in Ankeny, Iowa. Law enforcement officials are withholding the name of the deceased until family can be formerly notified.
The investigation into the kidnapping and death is being investigated by the Sac County Sheriff’s Office, Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, and Storm Lake Police Department. The Buena Vista County Sheriff’s Office and the Iowa State Patrol assisted in the initial search for Levin.
It should be noted a criminal charge is only an accusation and all suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
