NEAR EARLY, Iowa (KTIV) -
A bizarre story that involves both a possible kidnapping and a suspicious death began when a call to police was made about 8 'o clock Thursday morning. A 21-year-old woman was discovered tied-up in a vehicle near Early, Iowa. That woman, Jessica Vega, told deputies that 21-year-old Kirk Levin came to her home in Storm Lake, Iowa an hour and a half earlier and asked her for a ride.
Vega told officers she drove Levin to his home at 2242 Ira Avenue in Early. It was there, authorities say, Levin tied the woman up and stuck her in the trunk of his car. She says, later, he put her in the backseat and drove away.
Sac County Sheriff Ken McClure says after a half-mile, Levin lost control and went into the ditch. He fled on foot. A passer-by found Vega.
"A woman was in the backseat and she was bound with some rope," Sac County Sheriff Ken McClure said.
She told them she had been kidnapped. K-9 units found Levin hiding in a nearby barn and deputies took him into custody.
"He offered no resistance, I think he just wanted in out of the elements," McClure said.
While investigating this possible kidnapping, authorities made another discovery at Levin's home, the body of 45-year-old Marilyn Schmitt, Levin's mother. They believe she may have been dead for 2 days. Officials are waiting for autopsy results to determine the cause of death, however they are treating it as suspicious.
"This is far from being over, the criminal investigation is still ongoing, and you know with probable cause to arrest beyond a reasonable doubt, Mr. Levin is innocent until proven guilty, and that is for us to shore up between now and then," Ben Smith, Sac County Prosecutor said.
Levin was taken into custody and appeared in court Friday morning. He faces charges of assault with intent to commit sexual assault, assault while participating in a felony, and third degree kidnapping. Levin will be back in court on Tuesday.
This isn't Levin's first arrest. Sac County Attorney Ben Smith says Levin was released from prison, January 1st.
