Bend-area murder suspect indicted on seven counts

A 49-year-old Bend-area woman has been indicted on seven counts, including murder, attempted murder, menacing and animal abuse, after her arrest in the shooting death of a neighbor along McGrath Road on Jan. 16.

A Deschutes County grand jury returned a seven-count indictment Thursday against Joanna Lynn Kasner in the killing of Valerie Ann Peterson, 58, and actions and threats that put three other people “in fear of imminent physical injury.”

She’s also accused of trying to stab another woman and of first-degree animal abuse involving a dog.

Kasner remains held without bail at the Deschutes County Jail, pending an arraignment on the indictment next Tuesday afternoon.

Much of the other background documents in the case, including a search warrant affidavit, remain under seal, at a judge’s order.