Missing teen found dead; 2 Onamia men arrested

A body found late Friday night across the road from a wastewater treatment plant in Kathio Township was identified Monday as that of William Anthony Nickaboine, a 19-year-old Mille Lacs Band member who went missing on July 17.

Two Onamia men were arrested just after noon Saturday on suspicion of second-degree murder. Mille Lacs Tribal Police identified the suspects as Aaron James Beaulieu, 22, and Joshua Simon Boyd, 20, both of Vineland. They were expected to be charged in Mille Lacs County Court Tuesday. Beaulieu is being held at the Mille Lacs County Jail while Boyd is being held at the Stearns County Jail.

Nickaboine's body was discovered late Friday night on Timber Trail Road in Onamia, about two miles from Gebeshi Lane, by a community search party, which included family, friends, Band members and area law enforcement, said Mille Lacs Sheriff Brent Lindgren. Lindgren said Nickaboine's body had been burned beyond recognition. A pathology report and analysis was conducted to identify the body.

Nickaboine was last seen on Gebeshi Lane on July 17 on the Mille Lacs Reservation in Vineland, which is north of Onamia on the southwest side of Mille Lacs Lake. His body was found in an open area about a quarter-mile from Kathio Town Hall and across the road from a wastewater treatment plant, said Lindgren.

In addition to the Minnesota State Patrol, Onamia Police Department and Mille Lacs Band DNR, Mille Lacs Tribal Police also have been assisted in this case by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and Mille Lacs County Sheriff's office.

JODIE TWEED may be reached at jodie.tweed@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5858.