Woman arrested for hotel murder

GRAND CHUTE - Police arrested 34-year-old Mastella Jackson early Wednesday morning. Investigators say she killed Derrick Whitlow in a first floor room at the Road Star Inn. Jackson told police the couple was married but says they were having problems and were contemplating divorce.

"Our understanding is that they have been together off and on and he had been a resident of the Road Star for only four days," said Grand Chute Police Chief Greg Peterson.

Residents of the Road Star Inn say they heard an argument between Jackson and Whitlow a short time before Whitlow was found dead.

Peterson says the investigation led them to a duplex in Appleton where Jackson lived. He says investigators executed a search warrant and found the knife they believe was used to kill Whitlow.

"During the course of the search warrant various items were discovered that led us to conclude that she was involved in the situation. We did find a knife when the search warrant was executed that we believe was the weapon involved,” said Peterson.

Peterson says two children are also involved in the situation.

"I don't know if there is any relationship between what happened and the children, we don't know what caused it yet, we're in the process of continuing the investigation and part of what that will focus on is what happened in the days and hours preceding the situation,” he said.

An investigation that continues as Jackson awaits her day in court on Thursday.