Authorities make arrest in Washington County murder

RIVERSIDE – Washington County authorities have arrested and charged Thomas L. Hansen, 70, with first-degree murder after a woman was found dead at a home south and east of Riverside Sunday afternoon.

Hansen is being held at the Washington County jail awaiting an initial appearance in court.

Deputies have identified the woman found dead as Sharon K. Gerot, 54.  An autopsy will be conducted by the State Medical Examiner's Office.

At about 3:43 p.m. Sunday, Washington County got a call reporting a person had been shot at 1355 Deer Run Dr. Deputies, troopers from the Iowa State Patrol and an ambulance crew were dispatched and found a woman lying outside of the home when they arrived.

Law enforcement officials said Gerot and Hansen were acquaintances but declined to reveal the nature of the relationship.

First-degree murder is a class A felony and carries a mandatory life in prison sentence.

[gallery columns="2"]