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Person of interest in Massena suspicious death held at county lockup as investigation continues

Posted 10/28/16

Update at 10 a.m. Oct. 29 to clarify Keith Bjork is no longer a threat because he is now in custody from a probation violation police discovered when responding to his residence. By ANDY GARDNER …

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Person of interest in Massena suspicious death held at county lockup as investigation continues

Posted

Update at 10 a.m. Oct. 29 to clarify Keith Bjork is no longer a threat because he is now in custody from a probation violation police discovered when responding to his residence.

By ANDY GARDNER

MASSENA -- Village police have a person of interest in their investigation of a suspicious death on Center Street Thursday morning.

Police have questioned Keith Bjork, 50, of 192 Center St. Contrary to earlier news reports from other outlets, Bjork has not been charged in the death of Demar Buckner, 50. The two were roommates for about a week, according to Massena Police Chief Adam Love.[img_assist|nid=183844|title=Keith Bjork|desc=|link=none|align=right|width=175|height=219]

“It was in our best interest not to charge Mr. Bjork right away,” Love said.

He said the probe of Buckner’s death continues with Bjork remaining a person of interest.

“We are conducting a thorough investigation with New York State Police,” the chief said. “We’ll be back at the crime scene today and doing follow-up interviews.”

Love said Bjork is being held in county jail on a probation violation, which was part of his decision to not rush to filing charges.

When police arrived at 192 Center St. early on Thursday morning, Bjork had alcohol on his breath, which breached his probationary terms, according to the chief.

“The smell of alcohol was a direct violation of probation,” Love said.

Because "Mr. Bjork was in custody from a probation violation warrant, he no longer was a threat," said Chief Love

Bjork was arraigned by Justice Eric Gustafson and was remanded to the St. Lawrence County Correctional Facility, Canton, in lieu of $10,000 bail or $20,000 bond. He was under supervision on charges of fourth-degree criminal mischief, second-degree harassment and second-degree unlawful imprisonment.

Bjork is a level two registered sex offender. He was convicted for second-degree sexual abuse in March 2005.