Saline County authorities have charged a suspect in the murder of 44-yearold Nathan Thompson, whose body was found July 19 in an Ellsworth County field.

Joseph Benton Houseman, 48, Salina, made his first appearance Tuesday in Saline County District Court.

Houseman, who already was in the Saline County Jail on unrelated charges, was named as a suspect Saturday morning in a news release issued by the Salina Police Department.

As of this week, he is charged with eight criminal counts, including first degree murder in the death of

Thompson, according to court records.

Other charges are:

• Criminal desecration (unauthorized control of a dead body)

• Arson (intentional to dwelling of another without consent)

• Four counts of aggravated arson (substantial risk to great bodily harm)

• Interference with law enforcement officers (conceal/alter/destroy evidence in felony case)

Court documents draw a timeline of the alleged crimes that dates back to June 8 or June 9, when authorities say Houseman “intentionally and with premeditation” killed Thompson.

About four days later, on June 13, the Salina Fire Department responded to a mobile home fire in the west part of town. Fire fighters worked to save as much as they could of Thompson’s residence at 1635 Elgin and another home at 1637 Elgin occupied by a woman and three children, ages 15, 12 and 7.

Once the fires were extinguished, fire fighters determined Thompson’s mobile home was empty. The four counts of aggravated arson appear to be related to the second mobile home.

Authorities ruled the fire as arson. At the time, neighbors said Thompson had not been seen in a week. Authorities suspected foul play based on information they received.

An autopsy was performed Thursday, July 21, on the body discovered in Ellsworth County and the medical examiner ruled the case a homicide. The following day, a forensic odontologist used dental records to identify the remains as belonging to Thompson.

In the course of their investigation, Salina authorities took into their possession a white Chevrolet Express van they suspect of having been used in Thompson’s disappearance.

Charges against Houseman were file Monday in Saline County.

Authorities said the investigation continues and anyone with informatio on the fire, the van or Thompson’s activities since June 1 should call the Salina Police Department, (785) 826- 7210.

Assisting in the investigation to date have been the Ellsworth County Sheriff ’s Office, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, the Dickinson County Sheriff ’s Office, the Saline County Sheriff ’s Office and the Saline County Mounted Patrol.