Troy, NY –Rensselaer County District Attorney Mary Pat Donnelly announced today that Ian J. Hasselwander, age 24, of Petersburgh, was sentenced to 25 years to life on one count of Murder in the Second Degree, a Class A-I Felony and 15 years to life with 5 years post release supervision on one count of Strangulation in the First Degree, a Class C Violent Felony.
Hasselwander was arrested by the Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Department on March 4, 2022 in connection with the investigation into the disappearance and death of Morgan Bates.
The investigation began as a missing person complaint on Tuesday, February 22, 2022 and turned into a suspicious death investigation when Morgan’s body was located in the vicinity of Black River Road in Stephentown on Sunday, February 27, 2022.
“This was a joint investigation by the Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Office, the New York State Police, and the Rensselaer County District Attorney’s Office. Assisting in the investigation were members of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, New York State Forest Rangers, New York State Intelligence Center (NYSIC) and the Capital Region Crime Analysis Center (CRCAC),” said Chief Assistant District Attorney Matthew Hauf who prosecuted Hasselwander.
A victim impact statements read by Morgan’s sister expressed how independent and spirited Morgan was, and how much she will be missed by her family and close friends.
“I am pleased that the judge imposed the maximum sentence allowable under the law,” said District Attorney Mary Pat Donnelly. “This defendant showed no remorse after killing Morgan and leaving her body in a state park. I hope this sentence is a step towards peace for the Bates family and all who knew and loved Morgan.”