Minnesota man accused of dismembering girlfriends, hiding bodies in storage units enters plea

A Minnesota man accused of killing two of his romantic partners, cutting them up, and dumping them in storage units, recently entered a new plea.

Joseph Jorgenson pleaded guilty on Thursday to killing missing women Manijeh “Mani” Starren and Fanta Xayavong, whose remains were found in storage facilities in 2023, according to a report from FOX 9. 

He also pleaded guilty to two separate counts of second-degree intentional murder.

Joseph Jorgenson pleaded guilty on Thursday to killing missing women Manijeh “Mani” Starren and Fanta Xayavong.

“She’s our beautiful daughter. She had a heart of gold, and she was a really good mom,” Ricki Starren, Mani’s mother, told FOX 9 after the plea hearing. “Yes, he is a monster. But I do feel bad for his family though.”

He is facing a total of 40 years in prison for both deaths, according to officials.

Fox 9’s Paul Blume contributed to this story.