Man arrested in connection with death in north Des Moines

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say they have arrested a man in connection with the death of a woman who was found in a garage just north of Des Moines.

Polk County sheriff’s office Lt. Rich Blaylock told The Des Moines Register (http://dmreg.co/2hqYHsf ) deputies arrested 31-year-old Nickolas Lee Pettinger on Monday afternoon. He was charged with first-degree murder.

Blaylock says Pettinger’s arrest was connected to the death of the woman, whose name wasn’t released.

Authorities found her in a garage on the north edge of Des Moines after being called to a home Monday morning. The woman was alive when deputies arrived but died at the scene.

When deputies arrived, a man at the home ran away.

Online court records don’t indicate whether Pettinger has an attorney who could comment on his arrest.

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Information from: The Des Moines Register, http://www.desmoinesregister.com