Former Airman Mark Gooch Found Guilty Of First-Degree Murder In Connection With The Death Of A New Mexico Woman Found Near Flagstaff

A former airman, who was charged in connection with the death of a New Mexico woman, whose body was found near Sunset Crater in February, has been found guilty of first-degree murder and kidnapping in the case. The jury reached a verdict Wednesday morning, after getting the case on Friday. Twenty-two-year-old Airman Mark Gooch kidnapped 27-year-old Sasha Krause on January 18th and took her to an area near Flagstaff. Gooch allegedly bound Krause and shot her in the back of the head and left her near Sunset Crater, where she was found by a camper. 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. Coconino County Attorney Bill Ring released a statement saying, “Sasha Krause was kidnapped and murdered by Mark Gooch. The jury drew this conclusion from the facts and the evidence presented by the Coconino County Attorney’s Office and Sheriff’s Department. We will seek swift justice upon Mr. Gooch at his sentencing.” Gooch faces life in prison on the murder charge.