Missing West Chester woman died of asphyxiation, according to court documents

Police say that Michael Strouse killed Weik at his home at 6054 Bluffs Drive in Liberty Twp., according to the court documents obtained by the Journal-News.

MORE: Bond set for man who allegedly beat, killed girlfriend’s cat

Strouse’s bond was set at $2 million today during a video arraignment in Butler County Area II Court.

Credit: WCPO

Credit: WCPO

During the arraignment, Strouse told the judge he had retained attorneys Jeff Bowling and Kyle Rapier.

He is scheduled to appear in person Wednesday in Area II Court for a preliminary hearing.

INITIAL REPORT:

Michael A. Strouse, the man West Chester Police have charged with murder in connection with the disappearance and death of 23-year-old Ellen Weik, will be arraigned today.

Weik of West Chester was reported missing by her mother on July 29. On Friday, police found a body in a Liberty Twp. field.

MORE: Prosecutor says he’s ‘100 percent certain’ body found is missing West Chester woman

Strouse was charged with the murder of Weik, according to Barb Wilson, township spokesperson; however, she could not confirm that the body found at 6451 Millikin Road in Liberty Twp. Friday afternoon is Weik.

Here’s what we know now:

1. Prosecutor ‘100 percent certain’ body found is missing woman

Butler County Prosecutor Michael Gmoser told the Journal-News over the weekend that he is “100 certain” the body found in a Liberty Twp. field Friday afternoon is that of Weik.

And the prosecutor said it was his decision to charge Strouse with murder early Saturday morning after questioning by police.

FRST REPORT: West Chester Police searching for missing woman find body in field

2. Strouse has criminal past

Strouse was convicted in 2015 for public indecency for exposing himself to a woman in the Voice of America shopping center.

He was placed on one year probation and ordered to undergo a mental health evaluation and follow up treatment, according to Butler County Area Two court records.

3. Strouse lives near where body was found

According to West Chester police, the 29-year-old Liberty Twp. man was charged at 4 a.m. on Saturday. Strouse lives at 6054 Bluffs Drive, not far from where the body was found Friday on Millikin Road.