Petersburgh man found guilty of murdering Eagle Bridge woman

RENSSELAER, N.Y. (NEWS10)-- A Rensselaer County jury delivered a guilty verdict for Ian J. Hasselwander in court on Wednesday for the murder of 20-year-old Morgan Bates of Eagle Bridge. Hasselwander was charged with second-degree murder and first-degree strangulation for the February 2022 murder.

Bates was reported missing on Feb. 22, 2022, and police recovered her body under "suspicious circumstances" on Feb. 27 in a wooded area off Black River Road in Stephentown. Police arrested Hasselwander, of Petersburgh, on March 4 in connection with her death.

Police and investigators revisited where Bates' body was found in March 2022 after the snow melted. Rensselaer County District Attorney Mary Pat Donnelly said she hopes Hasselwander's guilty verdict can act as a form of closure for the family.

"He took the life of Morgan Bates, a young woman who was cherished and loved by her family which was clearly apparent from their presence throughout this prosecution and the trial," Donnelly said. "My only hope is that this affords them some closure, knowing that he was held accountable and that justice was served."

Hasselwander's sentencing is Wednesday, Sept. 18, before Rensselaer County Judge Jennifer Sober. He is facing 25 years to life in prison.