JONNIE TAT'E FINN / Lincoln Journal Star | Posted: Monday, April 3, 2006 7:00 pm
No criminal charges will be filed in the case of two Wahoo men who died earlier this year of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Ronald Larsen, 55, and his son, Tim Larsen, 18, died in their Wahoo home Jan. 19. According to a report from the Nebraska State Patrol, a faulty furnace was to blame. Ronald and his wife, Mary Larsen, had been concerned about their furnace and had it worked on just days before the deaths.
Jo Petersen, deputy county attorney in Butler and Hamilton counties, said after almost a two-month-long investigation she found no reason to file criminal charges.
Petersen was called to handle the Wahoo case as a special prosecutor in February because Saunders County Attorney Scott Tingelhoff had a personal connection to the victims and their family.
“I was brought onto the case to determine if there was anyone to file charges against,” Petersen said. “No target was ever pointed out, because we didn’t have a target.”
Petersen said that while the case is no longer a criminal matter, it could still go to civil court, which she wouldn’t be involved in. Attempts to reach Mary Larsen for comment were unsuccessful.
The Wahoo community, especially the high school where Tim Larsen graduated from in 2005, has made the best of the tragedy.
Wahoo High School established the Larsen Scholarship Fund and is gearing up for the Ron and Tim Larsen Memorial Golf Tournament to be held April 30 at the Hilltop Country Club in Wahoo. All proceeds will benefit the scholarship fund.
For details on the four-person scramble, contact Steve Shannon at (402) 443-4332, ext. 3224, or e-mail sshannon@esu2.org. Or visit www.wahooschools.org.
Reach Jonnie Taté Finn at 473-7395 or tfinn@journalstar.com.