June 4, 2008

Corpus Christi Police say they now know who killed the 27-year old woman and how it was done. The young officer with the US Coast Guard was found dead on Saturday inside her apartment.

Police arrested and filed murder charges against 21 year old Micah Spanutius. He was booked into the Nueces County Jail early Wednesday morning. His bond was set at $100,000.00.

On Saturday, the body of Amy Ignatowski, was found on the floor of her apartment. Police believe she was followed home from a nearby bar to her apartment where she was accosted by Spanutius.

Captain Tim Wilson says they have her leaving a nearby bar at Airline and Holly shortly after closing.

"She was talking to someone in that club, We believe that person followed her home. She walked home and that person accosted her at her residence." said Captain Wilson.

He says there was no forced entry into her apartment. Investigators are still looking into whether she let her killer in to her apartment, if he forced his way in when she was opening the door, or if he took the keys away from her.

According to a police affidavit Spanutius admitted to someone on tuesday that he had killed a girl by putting a hand over her mouth and squeezing her tight. The court document says he said he met her at a bar and that they got into an argument before he put his hand over her mouth, and that he was aware the news had been reporting on the woman's death.

Wednesday he was arrested at a home on the 3600 block of Marion just off of Carroll Lane. Police say he has an attorney and isn't speaking to investigators

Crime Scene Investigators were back on the scene of the victim's apartment Wednesday night.

By all accounts, Ignatowski was a beautiful vibrant woman. Coast Guard Lt. j.g. Ben Sparacin told us by phone that the Coast Guard has brought in Peer Assistance Counseling for those who worked with Ignatowski and are grieving over the loss. Ignatowski was a petty officer 3rd class assigned as an Aviation Maintanence Technitian working with the Coast Guard's Helicopter.