Sioux City Journal

Charges filed in death of 15-year-old

By Nick Hytrek Journal staff writer | Posted: Saturday, January 19, 2008

SIOUX CITY -- A Sioux City man accused of fatally shooting a 15-year-old girl and then trying to hide her body faces two felony charges.

Matthew Hettinger, 23, was formally charged Friday with one count each of second-degree murder and abuse of a corpse.

District Judge Gary E. Wenell scheduled Hettinger's arraignment for Feb. 4 in Woodbury County District Court.

Hettinger is accused of shooting Raina Hulit of South Sioux City Jan. 5 at his home at 306 W. Eighth St.

In the trial information, Woodbury County Attorney Patrick "PJ" Jennings charged Hettinger of killing Raina "with malice aforethought" and then hiding the body with the intent to conceal the crime.

If convicted as charged, Hettinger would face prison sentences of 50 years for second-degree murder, a class B felony, and five years for abuse of a corpse, a class D felony.

Raina ran away from home Jan. 5 and was at a party at Hettinger's house later that night. According to court documents, Hettinger became upset with people partying in his basement, ran upstairs to get a gun and shot the girl.

There was an unsuccessful attempt to bury her body near Stone State Park in Plymouth County. Jennings' filing alleges that the burial attempt was made on Jan. 5. Authorities found her body Jan. 11, two days after her family reported her missing.

Hettinger remains in the Woodbury County Jail on a $500,000 bond. Because trial information has been filed, a preliminary hearing scheduled for Tuesday was canceled.

Nick Hytrek can be reached at 712-293-4226 or nickhytrek@siouxcityjournal.com.

Story Comments

insanity wrote on Jan 23, 2008 4:02 AM:

" this entire situation is insane. Why were there fifteen year olds partying with twenty three year olds? Why was a twenty three year old hitting on a fifteen year old? why weren't the parents concerned that thier fifteen year old ran away? Why didnt the parents report her as a runaway immediately when she did run away with the police? Why didnt the people who were there have the decency to report a homicide when they witnessed it? Why are they being prosecuted along with Hettinger? "

Shame on those of you at the party wrote on Jan 19, 2008 10:07 PM:

" I find it inconceivable that you knew what had happened to Raina but not a single one of you had the guts to tell. I hope you carry that guilt forever. How would you like it if someone made your mom and dad suffer like Raina's parents did when they didn't know where she was or what had happened to her? Shame on you! "

mv wrote on Jan 19, 2008 9:49 AM:

" This man should be prosecuted tu the fullest extent of the law. now her family and friends have to suffer from some stupid malicious act. "

ConcernedToo wrote on Jan 19, 2008 9:06 AM:

" Could someone explain the thought process of the young people attending that party? They had to know that Raina had been shot. Were they so wasted out of there mind they were unaware that it happened? I would doubt that. I can't imagine people so cold hearted that they let this go on this long. "