Eau Claire (WQOW) - Officers could release more information about a murder investigation on Tuesday.
On Friday, an arrest was made in the murder of an Eau Claire man. Larry Fernandez, from Ladysmith, is being held on a charge of first degree intentional homicide. He's been accused of murdering Brian Harvey, who was last seen on August 13th.
The Wisconsin State Crime Lab was in the area on Tuesday working with investigators from Rusk County and the Eau Claire Police Department. Police say the case is very fluid. They are planning to hold a press conference on Tuesday to release more information.
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Eau Claire (WQOW) - The search for a missing man in Eau Claire takes a new twist as a man is arrested for his murder.
Frederick Brian Harvey was last seen on August 13th and his family has said all along that his disappearance was uncharacteristic. On Friday, WQOW News 18 learned that a man is now in custody for murdering Harvey.
A bond hearing was held in Eau Claire County Court Friday for Larry Fernandez of Ladysmith. Fernandez is being held on a charge of first degree intentional homicide after the judge set bond at $1 million.
A person familiar with the investigation tells News 18 that police have a witness who says Fernandez strangled Harvey with a belt. That witness also indicated Fernandez was under the influence of Oxycontin at the time. We were also told that Harvey's body has not been found.
WQOW News 18 reached out to Harvey's family Friday and they declined to answer questions and requested privacy at this time. Fernandez will return to court on Tuesday.
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Press Release (Eau Claire Police Department) - On August 28, 2012, the Eau Claire Police Department received a report that Frederick Brian Harvey had not had contact with his family since August 7, 2012. This report was assigned to the Eau Claire Police Department Detective Division for investigation as an active Missing Person case.
Since the original report, the Eau Claire Police Department Detective Division received numerous leads that were actively investigated regarding this matter. Through this investigation, it was determined that the last confirmed public sighting of Mr. Harvey was at a local convenience store on August 13, 2012.
Subsequently, the Eau Claire Police Department's investigation revealed that this case involved the homicide of Mr. Harvey. A suspect in this case has been arrested for the death of Frederick Brian Harvey. The suspect has been identified as:
Larry Fernandez
DOB: 02/03/1967
400 W. 4th Street – N.
Ladysmith, WI 54848
This case remains under investigation and additional details cannot be released at this time. The Eau Claire Police Department is requesting anyone with information about this case please contact Detective Sergeant Mark Pieper at 715-839-6217.
