Zachariah Anderson is currently on trial in Wisconsin after the state raised a case against him – here’s how the story is unfolding.
Anderson, 42, is currently on trial, accused of stalking and killing his ex-girlfriend’s new boyfriend. The case has gained national significance as it is being broadcast by the Law&Crime network. It is colloquially referred to as the Obsessed Ex-Boyfriend Murder Trial, although the case is named WI v Zachariah Anderson.
As the alleged crime Anderson is standing for occurred over two years ago, some might be confused about the timeline of events or how this missing person case resurfaced. Here’s what you need to know.
Zachariah Anderson: Story overview leading up to trial
Zachariah Anderson currently stands on trial, accused of murdering Rosalio Gutierrez Jr, his ex-girlfriend’s new boyfriend. The body of Gutierrez, who went missing in May 2020, has never been recovered. Anderson is charged with first-degree intentional homicide, two counts of stalking, and one count of hiding a corpse. A criminal complaint was raised by the state of Wisconsin and the trial commenced on February 28, 2023. It is ongoing.
Anderson is also accused of stalking his ex-girlfriend, Sadie Beacham, with whom he shares a 14-year-old daughter. Their daughter took to the stand on March 15, 2023. She remains anonymous as a minor to protect her identity. Beacham had taken to the stand the day prior.
Zachariah Anderson maintains his innocence and denies any involvement with the disappearance of Gutierrez.
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Timeline of events explored
As the trial continues, new information piecing together the story timeline has come to light through testimonial evidence. Here is how the missing person case unfolded in the summer of 2020:
- April 24-25, 2020 – Anderson’s daughter testifies they drove to Beacham’s house at night to watch her with Gutierrez through the window
- May 16, 2020 – Anderson takes his children to his family farm before leaving for a brief period
- May 17, 2020 – Rosalio Gutierrez Jr seen for the last time
- May 18, 2020 – Security footage shows Anderson visiting Walmart
- May 19, 2020 – Beacham visits Gutierrez’s apartment concerned for his well-being and discovers blood; Gutierrez reported missing
- May 20, 2020 – Anderson arrested on stalking charges but not in relation to Gutierrez’s disappearance
- December 2020 – Homicide charge added to Anderson’s case after new DNA evidence taken from Anderson’s van comes to light
- February 28, 2023 – WI v Anderson trial begins
Missing person cases continue to dominate headlines
The case of Rosalio Gutierrez Jr, who is tragically presumed dead, is just one of several high-profile missing persons cases to have resurfaced this year.
It follows Julia Wandelt who goes by three different names and claims that she is Madeleine McCann, the missing child who vanished from a holiday apartment in Praia da Luz in Portugal 16 years ago. Wandelt hails from Poland although now is based in Berlin, Germany. Her claims that she is really McCann have since been considered false.
This month, the mystery of Patricia Kopta’s disappearance was solved. Kopta went missing more than 30 years ago but was found at an adult care home in Puerto Rico, now aged 82.
In other news, Royal Caribbean apologizes for cruise ‘Premier Pass’ error
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