Authorities in Roseville have concluded a nearly nine-month investigation into the killing of a local businessman Wednesday by arresting the the man's son on suspicion of murder, alleging he did it for financial gain.

Christopher D. Northam was found shot to death May 30, 2011, in an Industrial Boulevard warehouse where – with his son's help – he was trying to build an audience for a new indoor sports business.

Christopher Jon Michael Northam, 25, was arrested Tuesday and booked into Placer County jail. He could face the death penalty. Authorities also arrested the son's ex-wife, Averill Elizabeth Easley, 34, of Roseville, on suspicion of being an accessory after the fact.

While early scuttlebutt suggested shady foreign investors or a disgruntled former employee killed Northam, investigators noticed inconsistencies in statements from the son, said Roseville Police Lt. Mark Toupin.

Family members had their own questions, said Dale Stanton, the victim's uncle.

"Things were not adding up. Stories were changing," Stanton said.

Once the family had access to financial records, their suspicion grew, Stanton said. He said hundreds of thousands of dollars were missing.

"It was very very difficult. To think he was involved," Stanton said of the younger Northam. "It was a puzzle, but things didn't fit."

He said the victim's parents are distraught with grief.

"They are sick … to think about their grandson killed their son. They are devastated," Stanton said.

"He didn't seem like a person capable of this," Stanton said. "(But) once we found out stuff – what was happening before the murder – we went, 'Oh somebody is trying to cover their tracks.' "

Toupin said officers methodically followed up far-flung leads, all the while monitoring the son's phone calls.

Eventually, the investigation led back to the son.

"When he was initially interviewed he gave conflicting statements to the police," Toupin said.

It was the son's ex-wife, Easley, who made the 911 call to report shots being fired in the industrial complex, according to Stanton.

Toupin said Easley's lies to officers inhibited the early investigation. He said she was deemed to not be a principal in the murder and thus faces the lone charge of accessory after the fact. As of Wednesday afternoon, she was jailed pending $25,000 bail. Northam was not offered bail.

While Stanton suggested Easley's involvement is more significant, Toupin would not address whether there are any facts to support Stanton's allegations. Easley has not reached a plea deal with the Police Department, Toupin said.

At the time of the incident, the younger Northam and Easley were engaged, with a wedding date set for Aug. 19, according an online wedding registry. The wedding was put off in the wake of the murder.

The two quietly wed Oct. 4, according to court records.

Less than a month later, they separated. Easley then asked for a restraining order against Northam and sought an annulment on Dec. 14.

"I am asking for an ex parte annulment due to my life being in danger. I was lied to by Christopher Northam and forced to marry him," she wrote in the court filing.

"I was told I had to marry him so I would not testify against him. He is the prime suspect in the murder of his father," she wrote.

She goes on to write that she was advised by investigators that spousal privilege would not apply.

The older Northam dreamed of creating the next big extreme sport through his company Skim X – an indoor water park combining skimboarding and skateboarding.

But even before his death, questions about the viability of the business were raised.

Earlier this year, one investor filed a claim in the amount of $636,000.

The business never completely opened.

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