UPDATE: Authorities release name of woman found in woods near Lewiston

LEWISTON, Minn. (WKBT) — The body found in a wooded area in Lewiston, Minnesota, early Saturday has been identified as that of a 24-year-old Lewiston woman and authorities are holding a 23-year-old man they suspect in her death.

Winona County Sheriff Ron Ganrude said the department continues to investigate the death of Tasha Lynn Hanson, whose body was found in a wooded area just east of Lewiston after police received a tip about a possible homicide Friday afternoon.

Authorities said 23-year-old Kyle Benjamin Allers was taken into custody Saturday on probable cause of second-degree intentional murder. Allers has not been formally charged but is currently in the Winona County Jail.

Allers is expected to make his first appearance in front of the Winona County District Court on May 16.

Hanson’s body has been taken to the Southern Minnesota Regional Medical Examiner’s Office in Rochester for an autopsy.

Authorities have not released any other details involving the homicide, but Ganrude said the investigation is still ongoing.

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The Winona County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the death of a woman whose remains were found in a wooded area early Saturday morning near Lewiston, Minnesota.

Sheriff Ron Ganrude said they received a tip from a caller about a possible homicide around 6:30 p.m. Friday night. Based on the call and information, the Sheriff’s Office started searching for the missing woman about two hours later.

Ganrude said the woman’s body was found around 12:35 a.m. Saturday  in a wooded area near the intersection of County Road 25 and 23 east of Lewiston.

The woman has been taken to the Southern Minnesota Regional Medical Examiner’s Office in Rochester for an autopsy. Law enforcement will not release the woman’s name until family has been notified.

Ganrude said someone has been taken into custody on probable cause of second-degree homicide. The person has not been charged but is currently in the Winona County Jail.

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension agents and crime scene personnel are investigating. Investigators say there is no ongoing threat to the public.