Radisson woman's murder called a 'thrill-killing'

Luke Klink

The brutal murder of a 93-year-old Radisson woman as she slept at home is being called a “thrill-killing” with Satanic overtones by Sawyer County law enforcement.

The Sawyer County Sheriff’s Department received a call from a health care worker on Tuesday, May 5, of a possibly deceased 93-year-old female. The woman was later identified as Irena Roszak, who lived alone in the Village of Radisson.

The murder occurred during the early morning hours of Sunday, May 3. There was forced entry into the home.

An investigation revealed Roszak was murdered in her bed, and received approximately 15 stab wounds to various parts of her body. One stab wound penetrated her heart and appeared to be the cause of death, according to the sheriff’s department.

“The murder appears to be strictly a “thrill killing” with satanic overtones. The pair had set out to commit murder,” according to a sheriff’s department statement.

The pair had initially targeted a Radisson couple to murder, however upon arriving at that residence, a motion light came on and the pair were scared off. The two then went to the Roszak residence, according to the sheriff’s department.

The Sawyer County ambulance and a sheriff’s deputy were dispatched to the scene. Upon viewing the scene, it was determined that the death appeared to be suspicious in nature.

Sawyer county sheriff’s department investigators, the Wisconsin crime lab, Wisconsin Division of Criminal Investigation personnel and the Wisconsin State Patrol were dispatched to investigate and process the scene.

The body was transported to the Ramsey County Medical Examiners office in Minnesota for a forensic autopsy. Autopsy

Autopsy results indicated the manner of death was a homicide. The murder is a shock to the people of Radisson — a community with about 220 residents, according to chief deputy Tim Zeigle.

“It is a relief to the residents of Radisson that there has been an arrest in this case,” Zeigle said. “Everyone is in shock this could happen in a community in Sawyer County or in any other county.”

The sheriff’s department announced later in the week it had arrested Christopher Lee Roalson, 27, and a 15-year-old boy, both from Radisson, in connection with the murder. The name of the juvenile has not been released.

A break in the case came when authorities received information from an acquaintance of Roalson that he had discussed participating in the murder. Roalson was taken into custody in Sarona, about 40 miles away in Washburn County, on Thursday afternoon, May 7.

The juvenile was taken into custody in the Village of Radisson Thursday evening.

Zeigle said Roalson and the 15-year-old boy met for the first time the night before the murder. He declined to elaborate on how they met.

Law enforcement has recovered the two knives that were used in the homicide.

A probable cause hearing was held Friday, May 8. Bond has been set at $1 million on each subject

Both suspects are being held in the Sawyer County Sheriff’s Department awaiting formal charges. A decision on whether the teen will be tried as an adult will come after he is formall charged, according to Zeigle.

An initial appearance for Roalson in Sawyer County Circuit Court has been scheduled for 9:15 a.m. June 22.