Burnsville Woman Shot Man Over Argument, Tried To Hide Body: Police

BURNSVILLE, MN — A Burnsville woman is accused of killing 70-year-old Michael Robert Riccio, of Minneapolis, after an argument.

Josephine Ann Powers, 25, was charged Wednesday with second-degree intentional murder. If convicted, she faces up to 40 years in prison.

Powers remains in custody at the Dakota County Jail. Bail was set for $1 million without conditions ($750,000 with conditions) by Judge Timothy McManus. Powers' next court appearance is scheduled for Aug. 1.

On July 18, Powers called the Burnsville Police Department to report a shooting that happened at her home earlier that month. She lives with a family member who was away on a two-week vacation during the time of the incident, police said.

During the investigation, a witness said Riccio was shot on approximately July 9 by Powers following an argument between the two, according to prosecutors. Riccio was shot in the head and his body was then wrapped in tarps and carpet, police said.

Days after the shooting, Powers asked Christopher Michael Hawkins to move a package from her home in exchange for a pickup truck, according to authorities. Hawkins agreed to help, police said.

When he arrived at the home, Hawkins saw blood throughout the downstairs and what he believed to be a body wrapped in garbage bags and rugs, according to investigators. He placed the object in the back of the pickup truck and transported it to a shed in Minneapolis, where he kept his belongings, the criminal complaint states.

Officers obtained a search warrant for the Minneapolis address and found remains of what appeared to be a body in a grey container in the backyard, police said.

An autopsy identified as belonging to Riccio, and the cause of death was determined to be a single gunshot wound to the head and the manner of death was determined as a homicide.

Hawkins is currently being held in the Hennepin County Jail on a separate matter. A complaint warrant has been issued to transfer Hawkins to the Dakota County Jail upon his release.