Man accused of killing beloved Challis woman refused to answer cops’ questions

CHALLIS — The man who allegedly killed Patricia “Pat” Brown, 75, a well-known member of the community, shot her with a 22-caliber rifle.

The court documents detailing the shooting death of Brown were obtained by EastIdahoNews.com Tuesday.

The Custer County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call around 3 p.m. on March 24 from Mark Wilson saying he had shot Brown. The 53-year-old told police Brown was a friend of his and he was at her home at 30 Trails End in Challis at the time of the shooting.

Deputies arrived to find Wilson standing outside the home. When placed in handcuffs, Wilson told deputies “I shot Pat,” according to the probable cause statement. That is when deputies noticed the smell of alcohol on Wilson’s breath.

When asked if he had been drinking, he told authorities that he had, but that he did not want to answer any other questions.

When emergency personnel arrived at the scene, they determined nothing could be done to help Brown. According to documents, “it was just a matter of time.”

Brown was later pronounced dead at the Challis Area Health Center.

Wilson told police where they could find the 22-caliber rifle he allegedly used to shoot Brown — in the master bedroom behind the door. He was booked into the Custer County Jail and is being held on a $1 million bond.

Wilson had previously been convicted of battery with intent to commit a serious felony on March 22, 2006. He was sentenced to one year fixed with six years indeterminate for that crime. He was released on Dec. 16, 2011, after serving over five years.

Patricia “Pat” Brown remembered by the Challis community

Brown was a Vietnam era war veteran and a member of The American Legion for five years. She also served as the Challis post commander, Idaho American Legion Department Adjutant Charles “Abe” Abrahamson told EastIdahoNews.com.

People who knew Brown said she was well-known in the Challis community for her kindness.

“Whenever she saw you, she’d come right up to you and hug you,” Andre’a Oerke told EastIdahoNews.com.

Oerke said she got to know Brown through a bowling league.

“She never failed to hug me when she saw me,” Oerke said. “She made everyone feel as if they were one of her own grandkids. She always left you better off than she found you – no matter who you were.”

Jamie Maw Cutler said she also got to know Brown through bowling. Brown bowled with her mother-in-law and Cutler worked at the same bowling alley when she was in her teens.

“She lived on Highway 75 and would sit out on her porch and wave the best wave to all of her friends while we would honk at her,” Cutler said. “She had the most kind heart (and) never a bad word.”

Oerke said she doesn’t understand how this could happen to her. Cutler said she is heartbroken over the incident.

“She will be so dearly missed,” Cutler said.