Murder Trial Of An Airman Accused Of Murdering A New Mexico Woman Is Underway

The trial of the suspect who is charged with the death of a New Mexico woman, whose body was found near Sunset Crater in February, is underway. Opening statements began Friday. According to court documents, 22-year-old Airman Mark Gooch kidnapped 27-year-old Sasha Krause on January 18th and took her to an area near Flagstaff at around February 21st. Gooch allegedly bound Krause and shot her in the back of the head and left her near Sunset Crater north of Flagstaff, where she was found by a camper. He is also accused of taking her head covering and underwear. Krause was reported missing from her Mennonite community in Farmington January 18th. Gooch was arrested at Luke Air Force Base in April in connection with Krause’s disappearance and death. It isn’t known if the two knew each other before the kidnapping. The trial is expected to last three weeks.