Minnesota Man Pleads Guilty to Killing and Dismembering Two Women
A shocking crime has rocked the state of Minnesota as Joseph Steven Jorgenson, 41, of Woodbury, pleaded guilty to the murders of two women whose dismembered bodies were found in separate storage units. The victims, Manijeh Starren in 2023 and Fanta Xayavong in 2021, met a tragic end at the hands of Jorgenson.
As part of his plea deal, Jorgenson is expected to receive two 40-year sentences for intentional second-degree murder, the maximum allowed under Minnesota law for each count. These sentences will run concurrently, with Jorgenson likely serving two-thirds of his time in prison and the remaining third on supervised release.
Ramsey County Attorney John Choi expressed his dismay over the brutal crimes, stating, “These heinous acts of cruelty took the lives of two young women and forever altered the future of their friends and family.” The community is left reeling from the loss of these two individuals.
The investigation into Jorgenson began when Starren’s father reported her missing in April 2023. Concerned about his daughter’s well-being due to mental health and addiction issues, he contacted the police. Evidence from her apartment, surveillance footage, and digital accounts pointed to Jorgenson as the prime suspect in her disappearance.
Keys found in Jorgenson’s possession led authorities to a storage facility in Woodbury where Starren’s dismembered remains were discovered in coolers and a large bag. Further investigation uncovered the remains of Xayavong, whom Jorgenson had a relationship with in 2021, in a separate storage locker in Coon Rapids.
The heinous nature of these crimes has shocked the community and left a lasting impact on the families of the victims. Jorgenson’s upcoming sentencing on February 28 will mark the beginning of justice for the lives lost at his hands.
