Suspects charged in local murders

Two people are facing charges of deliberate homicide in separate Sanders County incidents that occurred last week.

Aaron Eugene McLaughlin of Hot Springs is accused of killing his roommate on the evening of October 7 by blunt force trauma, resulting in a massive brain hemorrhage, according to charging documents. Sanders County Attorney Naomi Leisz stated that McLaughlin’s initial appearance was Friday in Sanders County Justice Court. He is being held on a $1 million bond and a preliminary hearing is set for Monday, Oct. 19.

Rachel Ann Bellesen of Lakeside is being held on a $500,000 bond in the death of her ex-husband Jacob Angelo Glace. Bellesen is charged with one count of felony deliberate homicide. Charging documents state she is accused of shooting Glace in the Paradise area on the evening of October 8. Bellesen also made an initial appearance before Judge Doug Dryden on Friday, and a preliminary hearing for her is set for Oct. 19.