Northern Wisconsin Man Charged in Bartenders Killing, Arson at Tavern

HURLEY, Wis. (AP) — A northern Wisconsin man is charged with killing a bartender and burning down the tavern to make it look like she died in the fire.

Forty-four-year-old Donald Rick of Saxon faces charges including first-degree intentional homicide, armed burglary, arson and mutilating a corpse.

According to the complaint, Rick told investigators he stabbed 52-year-old Lisa Waldros while burglarizing the Bear Trap Inn in March.

KBJR-TV  the complaint says Rick was trying to regain money he'd lost gambling.

Authorities allege Rick entered the Bear Trap after closing and ordered Waldros at knifepoint to open her purse. The bag contained $194. The complaint says there was a struggle and Rick stabbed Waldros in the throat.

Rick then allegedly got a gasoline container from his truck and set the bar on fire.