Prosecutors charge Timothy Haslett with first-degree murder

LIBERTY, Mo. – An Excelsior Springs man who is already in jail for kidnapping and rape charges is now facing first-degree murder involving a different victim.

Clay County prosecutors announced a first-degree murder charge against 41-year-old Timothy Haslett in relation to the killing of 36-year-old Jaynie Crosdale.

“Today’s indictment represents the next step in our pursuit of justice for the victims, the families in our community, Clay County Prosecutor Zachary Thompson said during a Tuesday news conference.

While Haslett was under investigation for the alleged kidnapping and rape, investigators initially said they were looking for Crosdale as a key witness. Her family maintained throughout the process that she was a victim, and now Haslett is accused of killing her..

Her body was found in a barrel in Saline County last summer.

Haslett was first arrested in the kidnapping and rape case in October of 2022 after a woman escaped from an Excelsior Springs home. Haslett was charged with counts related to rape, kidnapping, sodomy and assault.

During the news conference, Thompson described how they connected Haslett to Crosdale.

“Ms. Crosdale appears on a still image taken from Mr. Haslett’s electronic device showing her inside his basement. An SD card depicting individuals connected to Ms. Crosdale was found inside his house. He made statements to the surviving victim that he had taken somebody else’s life,” Thompson said.

‘The physical psychological and sexual torture described by the defendant’s surviving victim is brutal and barbaric,” Thompson added.

The case against Haslett remains an open investigation. He’s now being held on a $5 million bond. FOX4 will have continuing coverage on this case throughout Tuesday evening newscasts.

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