Kerra Wilson -- Found Deceased 9/22/11 -- Salvador Lopez Charged With Murder

NSP Briefing - September 23, 2011

Mitchell man appears in court

Published Monday September 26, 2011
World-Herald News Service

HARRISON, Neb. — A Mitchell man accused of killing his 8-year-old stepdaughter made his first appearance in court Monday.

Salvador Carl Lopez, 32, of Mitchell, appeared without an attorney and waived his right to a preliminary hearing in proceedings in Sioux County Court. Lopez is charged with first-degree murder, a Class I felony, in the death of Kerra Wilson, who has been identified as Lopez's stepdaughter.

Read more: http://www.omaha.com/article/20110926/NEWS97/709269884

Lopez refuses attorney; denied bond

KNEB - Scottsbluff, Nebraska

September 26, 2011

The rural Mitchell man charged with first-degree murder in the death of his 8-year-old stepdaughter Kerra Wilson is being held without bond after telling Sioux County Court Judge Russ Harford he does not want an attorney to represent him.

Read more:

http://kneb.com/index.php?more=5mdzhtnu


Salvador Carl Lopez in orange jail clothing.

Kerra Marie Wilson, 8, of Mitchell

Kerra M. Wilson, 8, of Mitchell, passed away September 22, 2011, in rural Sioux County.

Her funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, September 29, 2011, at the Scotts Bluff County Event Center at Scotts Bluff County Fair Grounds in Mitchell with Pastor Don Stephens officiating. Interment will follow in the Mitchell Cemetery in Mitchell.

Friends may visit from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, at Dugan-Kramer Funeral Chapel in Scottsbluff. Memorials may be made to the Kerra Wilson Memorial Fund at Valley Banks.

April 17, 2003, the world became a better place when Kerra Marie Wilson was born to Amanda Wilson in Scottsbluff. Kerra was the light of her family's life. She lived with Mom, Papa and Nana Wilson, as well as her aunt Abby and uncle Aaron for the first several years of her life. To say she was a Grandpa's Girl (Papa Wilson's) is an understatement. She adored him and he adored her.

Read more:

http://kneb.com/news/funerals/index.php?more=xcxsk6zr
KNEB - Scottsbluff, Nebraska



Kerra Marie Wilson - Age 8

Kerra Marie Wilson
4/17/2003 - 9/22/2011

Kerra M. Wilson, 8, of Mitchell, passed away September 22, 2011, in rural Sioux County.

Her funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, September 29, 2011, at the Scotts Bluff County Event Center at Scotts Bluff County Fair Grounds in Mitchell with Pastor Don Stephens officiating. Interment will follow in the Mitchell Cemetery in Mitchell.

Friends may visit from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, at Dugan-Kramer Funeral Chapel in Scottsbluff. Memorials may be made to the Kerra Wilson Memorial Fund at Valley Banks.

April 17, 2003, the world became a better place when Kerra Marie Wilson was born to Amanda Wilson in Scottsbluff. Kerra was the light of her family’s life. She lived with Mom, Papa and Nana Wilson, as well as her aunt, Abby and uncle, Aaron for the first several years of her life. To say she was a grandpa’s girl (Papa Wilson’s) is an understatement. She adored him and he adored her.

Kerra was an amazing little girl who touched people’s hearts the instant she met them. Once you met Kerra you never forgot her. She was always the bright light illuminating even against the darkness, when she flashed a smile you were instantly hooked. She loved being a “lil mommy” to her siblings and any other little ones she was ever around.

She was wise beyond her years, a generous, loving little girl who always tried to put other above herself. If she was eating a meal or a snack and she thought a sibling wanted more she would offer hers saying “I am full.” She truly was a generous, loving, concerned little girl who relished in making others happy and brought a smile to their face.

Her mere presence could light up a room; bring a smile to your face, and warmth to your heart. She accomplished more in her eight short years than most people only hope and dream to achieve. She aspired to grow up to be just like her mommy, looking forward to becoming a mommy someday as well as a school teacher. When her brother, Kooper, was born the separation of just a few hours was heart wrenching for both Kerra and her Mom.

She was a typical little girl who loved High School Musical, Hannah Montana, Selena Gomez and all the things girly, including being a drama queen at times. She enjoyed swimming, playing on the trampoline, watching movies, playing with and reading books to her siblings. She liked spending time with family and friends, singing along and dancing to favorite songs. She found pleasure in playing jokes on people she was close to. If she thought you were down she would do whatever it took to cheer you up.

Her absence will forever leave a huge void for all who loved and adored her. Black holes and black clouds do exist. We will forever have black holes in our hearts, overshadowed by black clouds. Kerra loved unconditionally and died without reason. Kerra Marie you will never be forgotten.

Kerra leaves behind her mother Amanda, brother Kooper, sisters Keanny and Nathiiah, her Nana and Papa Wilson (Bill and Shelly), her uncle Aaron and aunt Abby, as well as great-grandfather Joe McAninch all of Mitchell; aunt Billie and uncle James Megli of Torrington, Wyoming; great-grandparents Beryl and Orin Florence, great-aunt Melissa Elder, great-aunt and uncle Marsha and Richard Garza all of Syracuse, Kansas; great-aunt and uncle Tammy and Jeff Munsch of Colorado Springs, Colorado; great-uncle Grant Florence of Ulysses, Kansas; multiple cousins, as well as stepsisters Jasmin and Miah; stepbrothers Michael, Brandon and Blake; and very special friends Gayle, Gene, and Chapman Hascall whom Kerra knew as Aunt, Grandpa, and Cousin from Torrington, Wyoming.

She was greeted and welcomed into heaven by her great-grandmother Carol McAninch; an infant sibling; great-great-grandparents Dwight and Georgia Brasher and Earnest and Cecil Florence; great-grandparents William and Daisy Wilson; a great aunt Michelle Florence; two special uncles, Robby Martin and Thomas (Tiny) Garner; and many many friends close to the family.

Source:
http://www.dugankramer.com/
Dugan Kramer Funeral Chapel - Scottsbluff, NE

Per this article, the media was not allowed at Kerra's funeral at the request of the family.
~~~~~

Funeral attendees told to have hope

KNEB - Scottsbluff, Nebraska

September 29, 2011

Pastor Don Stephens told those gathered Thursday for the funeral of 8 year old Kerra Wilson they can find hope for the future in the Bible following her tragic death last week. At the request of the family the media was not allowed at the service Thursday at the Scotts Bluff County Event Center. But Stephens discussed his message earlier in the day in an interview with KNEB News.

Read more:

http://kneb.com/index.php?more=ruaxwxuh

I can not C/P from this site so I will provide the Link and article title.
~~~~~

http://www.starherald.com/articles/2011/09/29/news/local_news/doc4e829b482cb26524673722.txt
Starr Herald Scottsbluff, NE 9-29-11

Saturday benefits planned for Kerra Wilson fund

~ ~ ~ Rest in peace, Kerra! ~ ~ ~

That was a sad flowery very long obituary for such a young innocent child. The article published in KNEB newspapers stated that Kerra "passed away". The obit writer may have tried to be politically correct, but was not correct, in the sense that she didn't die of natural causes, she was murdered by her step-father. Poor little child. Another life stolen from another helpless little girl. This happens over and over.

RIP Kerra

Cali, from the obituaries that I've read, I think it's pretty standard for them to not list a cause of death. If they do, it's usually something general such as due to a longtime illness. I don't remember ever reading one that said due to a homicide or a suicide. I believe the content of the obituary is determined by the family.

It is very sad what happened to Kerra. It's mind boggling to think about the amount of cases we have on this site where boyfriends or step-parents were responsible for a child's disappearance or murder.

Stepdad has Tuesday court date

Published Saturday October 15, 2011
By Maunette Loeks
WORLD-HERALD NEWS SERVICE

HARRISON, Neb. — A Mitchell man accused of killing his 8-year-old stepdaughter will make his first appearance in Sioux County District Court next week.

Salvador Carl Lopez, 32, of Mitchell has been charged with first-degree murder in the Sept. 21 death of 8-year-old Kerra Wilson.

Lopez will be arraigned in District Court at 9 a.m. Tuesday.

Sioux County authorities have not released the results of an autopsy in the girl's death.

Read more: http://www.omaha.com/article/20111015/NEWS97/710159897/0

this is so sad that this has happened to a beautiful little girl. I hope they lock this man up and throw away the key.

Stepdad's murder trial set

Published Tuesday October 18, 2011

HARRISON, Neb. — A Mitchell man charged with killing his stepdaughter could be tried as early as March.

Salvador Carl Lopez, 32, has been charged with first-degree murder, a Class I felony, in the Sept. 21 death of 8-year-old Kerra Wilson. He appeared for the first time in district court Tuesday morning.

Prosecutor Joe Stecher, a Sioux County deputy attorney and a former U.S. Attorney for the District of Nebraska, filed an additional aggravated circumstances in the case, the necessary filing for the state to seek the death penalty in the case.

In order to seek the death penalty, the state must indicate, and later prove, that at least one aggravated circumstance exists in the case. The complaint identified Lopez's attempt to conceal the crime or the perpetrator as the circumstance.

Read more: http://www.omaha.com/article/20111018/NEWS97/710189891/-1

Lopez to appear in Scotts Bluff District to face murder charges

Posted: Dec 28, 2011 1:16 PM CST
Updated: Dec 28, 2011 1:16 PM CST

KOTA - Rapid City, SD



Salvador Lopez


The man charged with killing his step daughter this past September will make his first appearance in a Scotts Bluff County courtroom tomorrow morning.

Read more:

http://www.kotanow.com/story/16405767/lopez-to-appear-in-scotts-bluff-district-to-face-murder-charges

Bartling: Lopez plea, sentence "a win"

December 29, 2011

KNEB - Scottsbluff, Nebraska





The lead investigator in the Kerra Wilson murder case says the sentence of life in prison without parole for the eight year old's killer is a victory for investigators.

Salvador Lopez, Wilson's stepfather, received the mandatory life sentence Thursday after pleading guilty to an amended first degree murder charge that was absent the aggravating circumstance for him to receive the death penalty.

Read more:

http://kneb.com/index.php?more=uewmgxw2

Published Friday December 30, 2011

Guilty plea in girl's slaying

By Maunette Loeks
Omaha World-Herald
Omaha.com - Omaha, NE

HARRISON, Neb. — A plea agreement means a Mitchell man will spend life in prison for strangling and striking his 8-year-old stepdaughter with a shovel, killing her on Sept. 21, Sioux County Attorney Adam Edmund said Thursday.

An investigator said she was relieved by the deal, which brings some closure in the case in which Salvador Carl Lopez, 32, admitted also having sexually assaulted the girl.

Nebraska State Patrol Lt. Monica Bartling said the deal spares Kerra Wilson's family from a trial with the horrifying details of her death, she said.

Read more:

http://www.omaha.com/article/20111230/NEWS97/712309921

Mitchell man set for murder sentencing

Posted: Friday, February 24, 2012 9:30 am

By The Associated Press
The Lincoln Journal Star - Lincoln, NE

HARRISON — A 32-year-old Nebraska Panhandle man is expected to be given a life sentence for killing his 8-year-old stepdaughter.

Salvador Lopez of Mitchell admitted killing Kerra Wilson.

Read more:

http://journalstar.com/ap/state/mitchell-man-set-for-murder-sentencing/article_4c579348-7bd7-59a3-9ee4-181dd01b99b8.html

Published Friday February 24, 2012

Omaha World-Herald -- Omaha, NE

Man gets life in girl's slaying

HARRISON, Neb. (AP) — A 32-year-old Nebraska Panhandle man was sentenced to life in prison Friday in the slaying of his 8-year-old stepdaughter.

Salvador Lopez, of Mitchell, admitted killing Kerra Wilson.

Read more:

http://www.omaha.com/article/20120224/NEWS97/120229651

It is wonderful to know this monster, Salvador Lopez, will die in prison.


~ ~ ~ Rest in peace, Kerra! ~ ~ ~



Kerra Wilson
Photo courtesy: Nebraska State Patrol