Former Cop Pleads Guilty to Killing Woman and Ditching Body

KENOSHA, Wis. (AP) — A former Wisconsin police officer has pleaded guilty to killing an Oregon woman and ditching her body in a suitcase along a highway.

Steven Zelich pleaded guilty Monday, just as his trial was set to begin in the death of 19-year-old Jenny Gamez, of Cottage Grove, Oregon. Her body was found along a Wisconsin highway in August 2012.

Zelich pleaded guilty to first-degree reckless homicide with use of a dangerous weapon and hiding a corpse.

The former suburban Milwaukee police officer also is accused of killing 37-year-old Laura Simonson. Her body also was found in a suitcase along the same highway.

Authorities allege she died in Minnesota, so charges in her killing were filed there.

Gamez case was filed in Kenosha County, about 40 miles south of Milwaukee.

(Story by: The Associated Press)