As KIOW News reported on Saturday evening, Britt Police officers, the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, and emergency medical personnel from the West Hancock Ambulance Service were called to the scene of a homicide at 274 4th St SE on Saturday night. The officers requested everyone to stay clear of the area while the scene was being processed. Roads to the crime scene were blocked off.
Monte Eckels of Titonka was taken into custody. He has been charged with murder in the 1st degree in the stabbing death of Leallen Bergman of Ventura. He is alleged to have committed the crime with malice and premeditation when inside the residence.According to a press release, when police arrived, they encountered Monte Eckels inside the residence. They also found Bergman on the floor with multiple stab wounds. She was pronounced dead at the scene. Eckels was arrested and taken into custody.
He is being held at the Winnebago County Jail on $500,000 bond pending a court appearance on March 15th.
Police and the Iowa Department of Criminal Investigations continue to work the case. A DCI spokesman says Eckels and Bergman were in a relationship.
This investigation is being conducted by the Britt Police Department, the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, and the Hancock County Attorney’s Office. Additional assistance was provided by the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office, Kanawha Police Department, the Garner Police Department, and the West Hancock Ambulance Service.
