Daughter-In-Law Accused Of Murdering Elderly Exeter Woman; Arrested In Maine

EXETER, NH — A relative of an elderly woman has been arrested and accused of murdering her mother-in-law.

Danielle Kelsen, 55, was arrested in Southwest Harbor, Maine, on single second-degree murder and wiretapping and eavesdropping charges. She was accused of killing Janet Rischeill Kelsen, 88, in Exeter, on Feb. 9.

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An autopsy ruled Janet Kelsen died due to blunt head trauma.

Editor's note: This post was derived from information supplied by the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office and does not indicate a conviction. This link explains how to request the removal of a name from New Hampshire Patch police reports.

Investigators said Tuesday the eavesdropping accusation involved Danielle Kelsen “willfully” using “an electronic device to intercept oral communications between herself and Janet Kelsen.”

Officials said Danielle Kelsen will have a preliminary hearing for being a fugitive from justice in the Ellsworth District Court in Ellsworth, Maine, on Dec. 10. After that, she’ll be extradited to New Hampshire and arraigned in Brentwood District Court.

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