Boyfriend's Charges Upped to First-Degree Murder in Case of Body Dumped in SLP

Walter Thompson III was indicted by a Hennepin County grand jury on Thursday of first-degree murder in the death of his longtime girlfriend Annette Shaw, 46, whose body was found behind a St. Louis Park industrial building.

Thompson had previously been charged with second-degree murder in late September. His sister, Senaca, and his daughter, Rachel, are being tried as accomplices after the fact because police say they helped him move Shaw’s body.

Appearing Friday afternoon to face the more serious charge, Thompson clenched his left fist and leaned his shoulder against the plexiglass of an enclosed chamber on the courtroom’s west wall.

Thompson said little beyond his name and address during the initial appearance Friday under the new first-degree murder charge. He’s due back in court on Monday, along with his sister and daughter, for an omnibus hearing during which he may enter a plea.

Shaw's body was found on Sept. 17 wrapped in purple sheets and dumped near the train tracks behind Angstrom Analytical Inc., a Cedar Lake Road business.

According to the criminal complaint, Thompson killed Shaw on Sept. 12 or Sept. 13 and then recruited the help of his daughter and sister in moving her body in a “large container” to the sister’s apartment and then to St. Louis Park.

More coverage on St. Louis Park Patch:

Body Wrapped in Sheets Found Behind Cedar Lake Road Business

Sister, Daughter Helped Man Stash Girlfriend's Body, Police Say

$2M Bail for Accused Killer; $10K for Sister, Daughter Charged with Aiding Him