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A Minnesota woman who vanished in April was killed and dismembered by her boyfriend, according to prosecutors.
Joseph Jorgenson, 40, was charged with killing Manijeh Starren, 34, who was reported missing in early June. Officials believe he stashed her remains in two coolers and a duffle bag at a Woodbury storage unit after he was seen on security footage grabbing Starren and pushing her into her apartment on April 21, according to KARE.
Starren was never seen alive again, but Jorgenson was seen entering and leaving her apartment 28 times between April 21 and April 28. On April 28, Jorgenson was allegedly spotted taking two duffle bags and a suitcase from Starren’s apartment and loading it into a pickup truck.
In May, multiple residents at Jorgensen’s apartment complex complained of a foul odor coming from his unit. At some point, the manager and a maintenance employee witnessed Jorgenson moving large black duffle bags that resembled a dead body, according to KARE.
Bring Me The News reported that police located large quantities of blood at Starren’s apartment.
According to police, Jorgenson used Starren’s EBT card in May to buy a cleaning bucket, plastic wrap, paper towels, garbage bags, liquid cleaner, latex gloves, and disinfectant wipes. He also allegedly searched the internet for terms related to decomposition.
Jorgenson was also charged with arson and trying to disarm a peace officer for an incident that occurred as police executed search warrants involving Starren’s disappearance. Bring Me The News reported that the fire occurred at Jorgenson’s apartment.
According to the news outlet, police discovered a large amount of blood in Jorgenson’s closet. Authorities stated that they used cell phone data to locate Starren’s remains at the storage unit.
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In addition to Starren’s slaying, Jorgenson may be connected to the disappearance of Fanta Xayavong, 33, who vanished in July 2021 but was not reported missing until May 2023.
“To put it bluntly, we’re concerned for her safety also,” St. Paul police Sgt. Mike Ernster said.
Jorgenson, who was arrested Monday, remains jailed on $5 million bail. His next court date is on August 21.
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[Featured image: Manijeh “Mani” Starren/Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and Fanta Xayavong/St. Paul Police Department]
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