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WENDOVER — Nearly two months after the arrest of Kody Lee Patten, the Elko County Sheriff's Office arrested his fiancée in connection with the death of high school student Micaela "Mickey" Costanzo.
The arrest followed a surprise and dramatic revelation during Patten's hearing in 4th Judicial Court Tuesday in Elko — on what would have been Micaela's 17th birthday. Patten's defense attorney, John Ohlson, turned over an audio recording of a conversation he had on April 22 with Toni Fratto, of West Wendover.
"Toni Fratto identified herself as being involved in the killing and burying of Micaela Costanzo on March 3, 2011. Toni Fratto stated that she used a deadly weapon in the commission of the crime and was involved in the disposal and destruction of Micaela Costanzo's personal property as well as other potential evidence," according to a statement from the sheriff's office.
Ohlson said Fratto came to him and said she wanted to talk and told him about her involvement in Micaela's slaying. Ohlson said he doesn't know what prompted her to come forward, but noted that she was "stone cold as ice."
In the recording, Fratto — who is apparently Patten's fiancée — can be heard talking about details of the crime that were not public knowledge, investigators said.
Fratto, 19, was arrested Wednesday in West Wendover for investigation of open murder and transported to the Elko County Jail.
Micaela, a popular girl at West Wendover High School, was allegedly confronted by 18-year-old Patten — a friend who reportedly wanted to date her — after school on March 3. The two drove to a remote area in the desert about five miles outside of town.
When Micaela didn't return home that night, a large search effort was launched. The search ended March 5 when her body was found in a shallow grave.
In court documents, Patten told investigators he twice pushed Micaela to the ground during a fight, the second time causing her to hit her head on a rock. He claimed she then went into "some sort of seizure," he panicked and struck her in the head with a shovel.
During Micaela's funeral in March, the Peppermill Concert Hall was packed with students and residents from the entire town.
Toni Fratto stated that she used a deadly weapon in the commission of the crime and was involved in the disposal and destruction of Micaela Costanzo's personal property as well as other potential evidence.
–Elko County Sheriff's Office
Costanzo, Fratto and Patten were all students at West Wendover High. Fellow classmate Ashley Rodriguez said Fratto was often seen listening to an iPod and walking alone after Patten was arrested.
"She wouldn't talk to anybody in school," Rodriguez said. "We thought what happened to him affected her."
Fratto's parents released a statement Thursday expressing their condolences to Micaela's family and "love and support" for the Patten family.
"We stand behind Toni and offer her our support and love, as we would hope the community in general would, until all the facts are brought out," they wrote. "We want to know the truth as does everyone else."
Micaela's mother, Celia Costanzo, said the news of Fratto's arrest was unexpected — a "total surprise." Though it had been reported that Patten and Micaela had dated at one point, Celia Costanzo said she didn't know of any relationship between the two, though they did grow up together. She said her daughter wasn't even allowed to date.
At this point, the motive behind the slaying is unknown.
"I'm sure Kody and Toni are the only two right now who know those answers," Celia Costanzo said. "I wish I had those answers so hopefully, someday, we'll know.
"I want justice. That's the best I can tell you."
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