St. Paul authorities seek help finding missing woman they believe was killed

Authorities in St. Paul are asking hunters and anyone else in eastern North and South Dakota to be on the lookout for a missing Vadnais Heights woman.

Ramsey County Sheriff's Office investigators believe Michelle Newell was killed by Timothy Barr, 51, who has been charged with her murder. Newell, 45, was last seen in late August and her family reported her missing Sept. 8.

"We are asking the public for help in locating her body," said Chief Deputy Jack Serier. "A confidential informant has provided us with information that Timothy Barr, who is the suspect in this case, killed Michelle Newell by running her over with a car 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 the state of Minnesota."

Authorities say they have little more detail to guide a search, although they've already used dogs, examined cell phone data and enlisted the help of North Dakota authorities to try finding her. "Barr is uncooperative in this investigation," Serier said.

Authorities said there is a strong possibility of drugs being involved in the incident, and the complaint against Barr said he told someone that Newell either stole drugs from him, or was on the way to South Dakota to sell meth when she disappeared. Authorities say they have security camera video showing the two together at a Taco Bell in Alexandria, Minn., on Aug. 29.

Police are asking people to be on the lookout for any sign of Newell's body east of Jamestown, North Dakota and Aberdeen, South Dakota.

"With the hunting season starting this weekend in the Dakotas, we are asking people to keep an eye open that may lead to the whereabouts of Michelle Newell's body," Serier said. He noted that time is growing more critical as winter approaches. "Every day that passes, it becomes harder and harder to ensure we'll be able to locate her."