Bond was set at $2 million today during a video arraignment in Butler County Area II Court.
Michael Strouse indicted on 9 charges in the death of Ellen “Ellie” Weik.
A Liberty Twp. man has been indicted on multiple charges in the death of Ellen “Ellie” Weik, who was found dead in a Millikin Road field last month.
Michael Strouse, of 6054 Bluffs Drive, was indicted Tuesday morning for aggravated murder, murder, three counts of tampering with evidence, menacing by stalking, petty theft, abuse of a corpse, and gross abuse of a corpse.
Strouse will be arraigned on the new indictments Wednesday.
Strouse had been stalking Weik since the beginning of the year, according to the indictment.
“On or about Jan. 1, 2018 through July 29, 2018 … Michael Strouse did by engaging in pattern of conduct knowingly cause Ellen Christine Weik to believe the the offender will cause physical harm … or cause mental distress,” the indictment states.
Strouse is accused of trespassing on the premises of where Weik “lives, is employed or attends school,” according to the indictment.
West Chester Police say Strouse, 29, is responsible for the death of Weik at his Liberty Twp. home, located about one-quarter of a mile from the field where her body was found. Strouse was charged with murder on Aug. 25.
“We received a number of tips and other information from the community and the associates of Ellie which is what led us to help solve this crime,” West Chester Police Chief Joel Herzog said during a press conference last month.
Weik, 23, went missing from her West Chester Twp. home on July 29. Her mother reported her missing Aug. 1, according to the West Chester Police missing person’s report.
Herzog said Strouse and Weik knew each other, and police made contact with the Liberty Twp. man — along with numerous others — after Weik was reported missing.
“This is not a random unknown,” Herzog said of the relationship between Strouse and Weik.
Investigators said Weik died of asphyxiation July 29 at the Liberty Twp. home where Strouse lived. And there was an admission during questioning, according to documents obtained by the Journal-News.
“Strouse caused the death of Ellen Christine Weik as a proximate result of committing felonious assault,” according to court records.
The murder charge against Strouse “is based on information obtained through investigation to include electronic evidence, forensic evidence and suspect admission,” according to the court documents.
Strouse remains in the Butler County Jail on $2 million bond.