SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The man arrested at the Sacramento International Airport in connection with the death investigation of a CHP commander’s estranged husband has been extradited from Sacramento to Kentucky.
The Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office confirmed to ABC10 that Thomas O’Donnell left Sacramento Thursday.
He’s scheduled to be arraigned on Jan. 26, 2023, in Cumberland County, Kentucky, after being indicted for murder there last week.
CASE HISTORY
Michael Harding, of Celina, Tennessee, was found dead with gunshot wounds on Sept. 26 at a home in Burkesville, Kentucky.
Then, Thomas O'Donnell, a 60-year-old from Napa, was arrested at the Sacramento International Airport on Dec. 8 on suspicion of killing him, according to Kentucky State Police.
A grand jury was convened in Cumberland County to formally charge him with Michael Harding's death the following week, and then he was extradited on Dec. 22 back to Kentucky.
Meanwhile, an investigation is also underway into the death of Harding's ex-wife, Yuba-Sutter CHP Commander Julie Harding, who was found dead in Tennessee days after O'Donnell's arrest and her own arrest for trespassing.
Authorities have not yet said if there’s a connection between O’Donnell and the Hardings but Michael’s friend, Preston Cleary, told ABC10 he believes Julie had Michael killed.
Police have not confirmed any information about her potential involvement in Michael’s death.
Julie's cause of death has not been released yet, but authorities said they did not believe foul play was involved.
