Michigan authorities say a man wanted in connection with the murder of his wife in Fennville, Michigan, last week has been seen in Maine.
The Allegan County Sheriff’s Office confirmed Thursday that Harold “Butch” Knight, 66, has been sighted in Maine since his wife was found dead in their home 10 days ago. Police were unable to say exactly when Knight was seen.
Michigan police have issued a murder arrest warrant for Knight, a truck driver, who allegedly strangled his wife, 48-year-old Sara Lee Knight, at their home.
The couple has ties to Maine, having lived in Turner for several years. Sara Knight studied at the University of Southern Maine and worked as a registered respiratory therapist at Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston from July 2007 through March 2010, according to her LinkedIn profile.
“A warrant has been issued for his arrest and he is still at large,” said Capt. Frank Baker of the Allegan County Sheriff’s Office on Thursday.
According to a press release issued by the sheriff’s office, officers went to a home in the 6200 block of 116th Avenue in Ganges Township, Michigan, on the morning of Jan. 13 after receiving a 911 call notifying police that a person at the home was dead. Police believe the 911 call was made by Harold Knight.
WWMT-TV in Kalamazoo reported that Knight made the 911 call and told police he had harmed his wife on Jan. 11. He also told the dispatcher that he was leaving the country.
Deputies said her body was covered and personal items were placed around her to help authorities locate and contact family members, according to a news report on WoodTV.com, a news organization based in Michigan. The Associated Press reported that Knight’s body showed signs of strangulation.
Knight moved to Michigan in May while her husband stayed in Turner.
The sheriff’s office posted a wanted notice on its Facebook page, which says that Knight bought a Glock model 22, .40 caliber handgun along with 40 rounds of civil defense ammunition on Jan. 12, the day before authorities found Sara Knight’s body.
Police said Knight could be driving a light green 2009 Subaru Forrester with Michigan license plate GM74A. In one photo released by police, Knight is shown in the driver’s seat of his sport utility vehicle with Portland Head Light in Cape Elizabeth in the background.
Knight is 6 feet 4 inches tall and weighs 245 pounds.
Tammy Bovender, who worked with Knight at Maxim Health Care in Michigan, started a fundraising campaign on the social media website gofundme to raise money to pay her friend’s funeral expenses. More than $2,500 had been raised as of Thursday night.
“Sara Lee Knight was a caring and compassionate friend. Her life was taken too shortly at the age of 48 years old,” Bovender wrote, in remarks posted on the website. “(Her husband) is currently on the run and all of her funeral expenses and planning have landed on her daughter’s shoulders. Sara helped so many as a respiratory therapist. She loved what she did and enjoyed saving the lives of so many who she cared for.”
Bovender said memorial services for Knight will be held Saturday at noon at the Cedar River Chapel, at 2766 River Road, in Beaverton, Michigan.
Anyone with information about Knight’s whereabouts should contact the Allegan County Sheriff’s Office at (269) 673-0500 or the Silent Observer at (800) 554-3633, an anonymous crime tip line.
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