Man Allegedly Used Suitcase to Dispose of Woman's Body

29-year-old William Glenn Olsen, suspect in the disappearance of Alicia Wood. Photo courtesy of the Pondera County Sheriff’s Office.

What began as a mysterious disappearance in the quiet town of Conrad, Montana, has turned into a horrifying case that has left the community shaken. Alicia Wood, a 46-year-old woman, allegedly met a gruesome end - her body reportedly stuffed into a suitcase and discarded in a dumpster. Authorities have arrested a suspect, now facing charges of murder and evidence tampering.

The Disappearance That Shocked a Community

Wood was last seen on Nov. 22, 2024, at a gas station where she appeared like she’d been “beaten up,” according to NonStopLOCAL. Wood was reported missing on Nov. 30. Police began searching her home and nearby areas, intensifying the effort to locate her. Friends and family initially hoped for a safe return, but those hopes were dashed when chilling details of her disappearance emerged.

Police Discover Critical Evidence

When police located Wood’s abandoned car, they noted “various bloodstains described as being blood spatter on the passenger and driver’s sides, both on the interior and exterior, including handprints that appeared as if someone had dragged their hand across the car locking mechanism,” as reported by NonStopLOCAL. Inside the vehicle, a bullet casing was also discovered on the floor, adding to the growing evidence in the case.

Wood’s family reported that her car had been involved in a crash prior to her death, with the driver fleeing the scene. Witnesses later identified 29-year-old William Glenn Olson as the driver. Court documents indicate that Olson admitted to taking Wood’s car without her permission, claiming she wouldn’t let him leave, so he drove off while she was asleep. This led investigators to further scrutinize Olson’s involvement, and they arrested him on Dec. 11.

Fight Turned Fatal

Initially, Olson claimed that the last time he saw Alicia Wood was on Nov. 10. However, during a second interview with detectives, Olson admitted that he and Wood had a physical altercation at her home. According to court documents, Olson stated that the fight escalated, and he put Wood in a headlock, which led to her death.

After the incident, Olson allegedly retrieved a suitcase from Wood’s closet, placed her body inside, and transported it to Great Falls. There, he disposed of the suitcase in a dumpster near an elementary school. Olson also discarded his phone during this time, further complicating the investigation.

Challenges in Recovery Efforts

Months later, Wood’s body had still not been recovered. Authorities, including Conrad Police Chief Cory Smith, reported that her remains might still be in a landfill. Crews have deployed drones, excavators, and bulldozers to search the area in hopes of locating her body.

Legal Proceedings Begin

Olson has been charged with deliberate homicide and tampering with evidence for placing her body inside the dumpster. His bond has been set at $1,000,000. If convicted, Olson faces 10 years to life in prison for the homicide charge and up to 10 years or a $50,000 fine for tampering with evidence.

Seeking Justice

As legal proceedings unfold, the focus remains on achieving justice for Alicia Wood and her grieving family. Authorities are urging anyone with additional information to come forward to aid in the investigation.

References: Montana Woman Vanished Weeks Ago. Now Police Say Man Stuffed Her Body in Suitcase, Put It in Dumpster | Charges filed in Alicia Wood disappearance case in Pondera County