What started as a welfare check and search for 66-year-old Michael Maisner in April has resulted in homicide charges after human remains were found in his backyard fire pit.

Investigators this week charged 35-year-old Marisa Rodriquez with homicide, aggravated assault, abuse of a corpse, access device fraud, theft by unlawful taking, identity theft, tampering with/fabricating evidence, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and possession of a firearm prohibited.

Family told investigators they had not heard from Maisner since a phone call on March 28. They found Rodriquez in hiding in the attic of his Crestview Dr. home in Summit Township when they went to check on him April 12, but he was nowhere to be found. 

Troopers took a missing person's report for Maisner and obtained a search warrant for the residence April 13. They discovered a large section of carpet and padding removed from front entry room of residence and ceiling in the same area cleaned, investigators said. Suspected human tissue was also found in a floor vent, and blood spatter on the floor and ceiling, according to the criminal complaint. Several cleaning items and bleach stained clothing was found inside.

Investigators found his Cadillac STX vehicle the same day in Lily Dale in Chautauqua County after receiving a report about an unrelated trespassing incident. That's where they arrested Rodriguez for the theft of the vehicle and extradited her back to Erie. She has been held in the Erie County Prison since then.

After being taken into custody, she told investigators during an interview on April 14 she was living at the home for two to three months and made several comments about Masiner being dead but didn't say how she knew he was deceased, the criminal complaint said.

During the search for Maisner, investigators said they found an eyeglass frame piece, picture frame, carpet foam, carpet and possible bone fragment in fire pit. The Erie County Coroner and Mercyhurst University Forensic Scene Recovery Team recovered approximately 21 human bone fragments and soft tissue mass, according to the criminal complaint.

Rodriguez's online history also turned up the following searches:

  • "Mike Mainser" - dated Jan. 11
  • "how to shoot someone" - Jan. 11
  • "how long does it take to burn a dead body" - March 14
  • "burn a body" - March 26
  • "if you shoot someone in the head they die instantly" - dated March 29
  • "cutting a dead body with a chainsaw" - dated April 3

On the Apple account for her phone, investigators found:

  • video of Rodriguez getting the PIN number for Maisner's debit card - March 26
  • picture of a .357 revolver - March 29 at 3:27 p.m.
  • two photos of Maisner with a gunshot wound to the back of the head and torso - March 29 at 4:17 p.m.
  • photo of Maisner laying in a pool of blood - March 29 at 6:29 p.m.
  • two videos of Maisner laying dead on the floor - March 29 at 6:30 p.m.

The videos show Rodriguez's feet wearing the black-and-brown shoes found in Maisner's car in New York, the inside of Maisner's residence and his body lying on the carpet found in the fire pit, the criminal complaint said.

She is also accused of making $589.87 worth of purchases using the Maisner's bank card.

Investigators retrieved his bank records and reviewed surveillance video and receipts to determine:

  • Video shows Maisner and Rodriguez shopping together for groceries March 27 at the Walmart on Peach St.
  • Rodriguez buying 18 wash cloths, a 2.5 gallon gas can and body wash at the same Walmart on March 29 around 10:01 p.m.
  • What appears to be a Cadillac STX pulling into a gas pump at the GetGo on Peach St., opening the trunk and filling a gas can on March 29 around 10:10 p.m.
  • Rodriguez purchasing a chainsaw at Walmart on April 3 around 9:16 p.m.

A woman in Lily Dale, New York, told investigators a person using Misner's name on March 30 booked an appointment for April 2, the criminal complaint said. Instead, Rodriguez appeared in a Cadillac, and the woman told investigators she had been stalked and harassed by Rodriguez for about five years.

Rodriguez is scheduled to appear before a district judge for her preliminary hearing June 27.