Willow man arrested on murder charge

The Alaska State Troopers have arrested 59-year-old Michael Kilgo of Willow on charges of first-degree murder and evidence tampering in connection with the death of 56-year-old Hattie Labuff-Kilgo.

Labuff-Kilgo’s remains were discovered Tuesday afternoon in the Petersville area. Her body was found about three miles from her truck, which was parked on Petersville Road. The search for Labuff-Kilgo began on Monday when she was absent from work. Troopers determined that she had been in Petersville over the weekend.

On Wednesday morning, the state medical examiner’s office conducted an autopsy on Labuff-Kilgo, and named the cause of death as homicide by blunt force trauma.

Troopers arrested Michael Kilgo at his home in Willow around noon on Wednesday. He is currently being held without bail.

If you value the local news content that KTNA provides, consider becoming supporting us during our summer membership drive.  Annual and sustaining memberships help us provide the local content that keeps you up to date with what’s going on in the Susitna Valley.