She has been missing since August 29, 2016. Newell was traveling with suspect Timothy Barr to the Dakotas at the time of her disappearance. The last sighting of Michelle was believed to be on August 30, 2016, in Cass County, North Dakota.
A confidential informant has provided Sheriff’s Office investigators with information that Timothy Barr, who is a suspect in this case, killed Michelle Newell in a rural location. He subsequently hid her body in a farm building under some hay in either eastern North Dakota or eastern South Dakota before returning to Minnesota.
Timothy Barr is currently in the custody of the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office for the charge of second degree murder. Barr is uncooperative in this investigation.
“For the sake of closure for her family, for our continuing investigation and in the interest of justice, we are asking anyone that may be in these areas to look in their barns, outbuildings, and property for any evidence of Ms. Newell,” stated Chief Deputy Jack Serier at a news conference in Saint Paul.
“With the hunting season starting this weekend in the Dakotas we are asking people to keep an eye open for anything that may lead to the whereabouts of Michelle Newell’s body,” Chief Deputy Serier said.
