Man arrested following discovery of body in a freezer

(Shawnee-AP) -- A man's body has been discovered in a freezer that was scorched and left in a trash pile in a rural pasture. <br><br>Pottawatomie Country authorities say the victim was shot and beaten

Tuesday, December 16th 2003, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Shawnee-AP) -- A man's body has been discovered in a freezer that was scorched and left in a trash pile in a rural pasture.

Pottawatomie Country authorities say the victim was shot and beaten several weeks ago.

The man's identity has not yet been released.

Darrell Macie Patterson was arrested on a first-degree murder complaint related to the death.

He is being held without bond in the Pottawatomie County Public Safety Center.

The investigation began after authorities received a tip late Saturday.

Deputies learned Patterson had told tenants in his rental house not to touch the freezer in the pasture because there was a body in it. The tenants believed Patterson was joking, authorities said.

Deputies found the freezer chest on 120 acres of rough terrain along the North Canadian River after searching late Sunday and into yesterday morning.

Officials believe the murder occurred November 22nd in the front yard of the rental house.

District Attorney Richard Smothermon says the victim was shot in the head and appeared to have skull fractures.

Authorities says they found a handgun and a bat in Patterson's pickup truck after his arrest.