By John Ferrannini

The San Francisco district attorney’s office has opted not to file charges – at least, not yet – against two people who were arrested in connection with the death of a San Francisco resident whose body was discovered in Golden Gate Park during the Outside Lands festival last summer.

Alexander Madden, 26, and Emilia Beckhusen, 33, were arrested on Nov. 2 and Nov. 4, respectively, according to a news release from the San Francisco Police Department (SFPD).

The three-day Outside Lands Music and Arts Festival brings a couple of hundred thousand people to the park on San Francisco’s west side every summer. It was winding down on Aug. 13 when officers responded to a report of “an unresponsive adult female” in the area of Fulton Street and 22nd Avenue.

“Officers summoned medics to the scene. Paramedics from the San Francisco Fire Department responded, and the victim was declared deceased at the scene,” the statement said.

The death was declared suspicious by the City’s medical examiner, who later ruled the cause of death undetermined. The woman was identified as 37-year-old San Francisco resident Kelly Koike.

Investigators zeroed in on Madden and Beckhusen as suspects – at least in the disposal of Koike’s body. On Nov. 2, Madden was arrested on a Ramey warrant for unlawful disposal of human remains and conspiracy.

Two days later, Beckhusen was also arrested on a Ramey warrant for unlawful disposal of human remains and conspiracy.

A Ramey warrant is a type of arrest warrant issued before the district attorney’s office has filed formal charges. Typically, the DA’s office obtains a warrant; but a Ramey warrant is obtained by the police department. Ramey warrants are relatively rare.

On Nov. 21, Randy Quezada, the spokesman for SF District Attorney Brooke Jenkins, stated that the charges have been discharged for now.

“The charges against two suspects arrested for unlawful disposal of human remains (Health and Safety Code 7054(a)(1)) and conspiracy for the same (Penal Code 182(a)) by the SFPD in connection to a suspicious death in the Richmond District were discharged on Nov. 7, 2023, pending further investigation on the homicide case,”

“Although the charges against the two suspects have been discharged at this time,” Quezada stated. “The investigation is continuing, and charges could be filed at a later date. The District Attorney’s Office is committed to fair and ethical prosecutions which require all cases that we charge to be provable beyond a reasonable doubt to a jury.

“Cases presented to the district attorney’s office for prosecution are carefully assessed to ensure that there is enough evidence to prove that the suspects are guilty beyond a reasonable doubt,” he stated. “Additionally, proceeding on these charges alone in this case now could jeopardize a prosecution for murder later.”

Moriarty did not answer a request for comment Nov. 21 and another Nov. 29 as to why Madden is in custody; while Beckhusen’s name does not show up in the sheriff’s department custody lookup, Madden’s does. His next hearing is Dec. 7 at the Hall of Justice and he is charged with criminal threats, stalking, allegation of offense on bail or O.R., arson causing great bodily injury, three unlisted felonies, second-degree robbery, possession or manufacture of combustible material or incendiary device, arson of property of another and threatening a public officer.

SFPD officer Gonee Sepulveda said : “unfortunately, I cannot confirm the cusUody status.” Subsequently, Tara Moriarty of the Sheriff’s Department confirmed that Madden is in custody, but she could not find Beckhusen.

Moriarty did not immediately return a request for comment Nov. 21 as to why Madden is in custody; neither show up on the Sheriff’s Department’s online tool to look up people in San Francisco jails.

The case remains open and active. Quezada asked anyone with knowledge of the situation to contact the SFPD with information at the SFPD 24-hour tip line at 415-575-4444 or Text a Tip to TIP411 and begin the text message with SFPD. Tipsters may remain anonymous.