October 29, 2023

Hancock County - On Saturday, October 28, 2023, at approximately 11:11 a.m., Hancock County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the residence at 633 Way Avenue in Woden, Iowa for a welfare check. Upon arrival, deputies made entry into the residence and located a female subject identified as Karen Abby Crews, age 56 of Woden, Iowa. Karen Abby Crews was located unresponsive and was pronounced deceased at the residence.

At about 8:30 pm, Roger Laverne Crews Jr., age 56 of Woden, Iowa, was arrested for Murder in the First Degree at the Freeborn County Sheriff’s Office in Minnesota without incident.  Karen and Roger were separated and living apart.

This investigation is being conducted by the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office and Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation. Additional assistance was provided by the Iowa State Patrol, Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office, Lake Mills Police Department, Freeborn County Sheriff’s Office (Minnesota), Albert Lea Police Department (Minnesota), and Hancock County Medical Examiner’s Office.

Photo of Roger Crews:

ABOUT THE IOWA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY

The Iowa Department of Public Safety (DPS) is the largest law enforcement agency in the state. It includes six divisions and several bureaus, all working together with local, state and federal government agencies and the private sector, to keep Iowa a safe place by following our core values: leadership, integrity, professionalism, courtesy, service and protection. Divisions within the Iowa DPS: Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, Iowa State Patrol, Iowa State Fire Marshal Division, Iowa Division of Intelligence and Fusion Center, and Administrative Services Division. The Department of Public Safety is led by the Commissioner who is appointed by the Governor.