Convicted killer to be sentenced in September

The 42-year-old Mosinee man convicted in early June by a Clark County jury of killing 27-year-old Cassandra Ayon of Loyal in October 2020 will find out on Sept. 12 if he will spend the rest of his life in prison.

Jackson County Circuit Court Judge Daniel Diehn set that sentencing date last week. A presentence investigation has been ordered for Jesus Contreras Perez, who was found guilty on June 10 of first-degree intentional homicide/as party to a crime, hiding a corpse/as party to a crime, and stalking/domestic abuse. The verdict followed a 5-day trial in which prosecutors presented evidence to show Contreras Perez had threatened and followed Ayon in the weeks and days prior to her disappearance on Oct. 3, 2020. Although neither Ayon’s remains nor her vehicle have been found, prosecutors convinced jurors that Contreras Perez was responsible for her death. All signs of her life ceased to exist after that day, and witnesses told investigators that Contreras Perez had been following her on the night of her disappearance. Contreras Perez and Ayon, who have a child together, had broken off their relationship shortly before her disappearance.

Prosecutors said at the trial in Neillsville that Contreras Perez likely had help in either the homicide and/or the disposal of the remains and vehicle as he was at his place of employment only a few hours after Ayon was last seen. No other suspects have been charged in the case.

Contreras Perez’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for 9 a.m. on Sept. 12 at the Clark County Courthouse in Neillsville. Diehn is presiding over the case after Contreras Perez requested a substitute for Clark County Judge Lyndsey Brunette.