Man in court; wife's death case continues

By Matt Conn - Marshfield News-Herald

NEILLSVILLE -- The husband of a 21-year-old Thorp woman who was found dead in a Clark County forest pleaded not guilty Thursday on unrelated charges of possession of drug paraphernalia and a firearm as a felon.

Shaun W. Rudy, 23, is a "person of interest" in the death of his wife, Christine Rudy, according to the Clark County Sheriff's Department. Christine Rudy was 6 months pregnant at the time.

The court entered a plea of not guilty for Shaun Rudy, who had appeared in an orange jumpsuit and shuffled to his seat in the courtroom, legs and wrists bound.

He remains in Clark County Jail on a $1,000 cash bond.

Shaun Rudy told authorities he had dropped his wife off Nov. 12 on Highway MM after they had an argument.

He reported her missing two days later. Four days after that report, he was arrested on the unrelated charges.

The sheriff's department said last week that human remains found in a rural wooded area in the county were those of Christine Rudy.

Chief Deputy James Backus, who was present at Shaun Rudy's arraignment Thursday, said the sheriff's department is continuing to conduct interviews and has several other persons of interest. He declined to comment further.

He also declined to comment on how Christine Rudy died or the condition of her remains.

Clark County District Attorney Darwin Zwieg said he is reviewing details of the case, but would not comment on possible charges against Shaun Rudy.

Zwieg said he has read a very preliminary report, but the total paperwork on the case would be "voluminous."

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