Man being held in Nobles County Jail following death of woman in Luverne

A 61-year-old male is being detained in the Nobles County Jail following the death of a woman in Luverne on Friday night.

According to a press release issued Saturday by Rock County Sheriff Matthew Sorenson, the sheriff's office received a call at 8:09 p.m. Friday from an individual requesting a welfare check at a Luverne residence for a possible domestic assault. The caller stated that she had received several text messages from Marvin Leon Frazier that he had harmed the caller's sister.

Deputies responded to the residence shared by the defendant and victim, the press release continued, and after no one came to the door, they entered and discovered the deceased victim, identified as Janelle Lea Carlson, 47, of Luverne. Local law enforcement secured the scene, and the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension called to assist with the investigation.

Frazier, meanwhile, called 911 to turn himself in but wouldn't give his location. After tracing the 911 call, officers found him hiding in the area of 408 N. Kniss Ave., and he was apprehended without incident.

Frazier was taken to the Rock County Law Enforcement Center to be interviewed and then transported to Nobles County Jail pending formal homicide charges, according to the press release.  The victim's family members have been notified, and an autopsy is being performed to determine the cause of death.

Also providing assistance at the scene were the Rock County Coroner and the Buffalo Ridge Drug and Violent Crime Task Force. The incident remains under investigation.