Watford City man charged with murder
Patrice Bumstead
Farmer Editor
Editor’s Note: Portions of this report are graphic and disturbing. The Farmer has written this article directly from the filed court documents to accurately summarize events that took place leading to the arrest of Scott Beane.
Scott Beane, 35, of Watford City, has been charged with a Class AA Felony. The charge is listed as murder - intentional, knowing, or with extreme indifference-adult victim.
According to documents filed with the Northwest Judicial District, the McKenzie County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a fire at a residence on Sept. 12, 2023.
The reporting party indicated he had arrived at the residence and located his wife within the entryway of the residence, deceased, and appearing to have been burned to death. He stated that he was unable to gain access to the residence as the door was locked and he believed that Beane was inside.
Upon arriving at the scene, deputies observed evidence of a recent fire and the deceased remains of a female who appeared to have significant burns to the entirety of her body, in what appeared to be an enclosed mudroom.
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