WARROAD, MINNESOTA: A rural Minnesota man allegedly showed no remorse for fatally shooting his wife while confessing to the crime in a 911 call, authorities said.
According to state and local law enforcement authorities, 63-year-old David Allen Corneliusen is accused of second-degree murder in the death of Mary A Corneliusen, 66, on Monday, August 28.
Corneliusen, from Warroad, a tiny town some seven-and-a-half miles south of the Canadian border, dialed the emergency responders just after 8 pm and told them that his wife was shot on the couch, NBC affiliate KVLY reported, citing the sheriff’s office.
David Allen Corneliusen claimed his wife was 'beyond help'
Corneliusen said he was responsible for the crime during the call and that his wife was “beyond help,” court documents stated.
“There is nothing to talk about,” he said into the phone after admitting to the fatal bout of uxoricide.
An officer, who arrived at the residence a couple of miles outside of Warroad proper, reportedly found the defendant standing on the deck outside.
He was arrested and handcuffed there without incident. The dead woman was subsequently discovered upon entering the house.
What did the victim's daughter say?
“My mother didn’t deserve this,” Ciara Meyers, the victim’s daughter, told the Forum.
“She was so strong,” she said, adding, “God, she was a strong woman. And resilient. So damn resilient. You cannot imagine the things she went through and came back from. She was fierce. If she cared about you, you knew it. She loved being Grandma Mary.”
Meyers also posted an indictment of the attention violent crimes receive. “Please,” she wrote on Facebook. “Do not share the mugshot of the monster who took her from us, share her beautiful smile instead. She deserves the attention. Not him. You’re safe now. I love you, Mama,” she said.
Why did David Allen Corneliusen kill his wife Mary?
The defendant was taken by the deputy to the Warroad Police Department. He was interrogated by an agent there with the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.
He confessed to shooting and killing his wife with a firearm “after they had a verbal argument,” according to a criminal complaint obtained by the Star Tribune.
The victim’s final Facebook post from August 2021 was a meme that said, "Every woman’s name hides a sad song.” A GoFundMe has been set up to raise funds for her funeral.
“Her children (my nieces and nephew) need your generosity and help with the funeral expenses,” Alice Kos wrote, adding “Her life ended in violence, and they are trying to find peace during this difficult time. Any contribution would be so much appreciated. Love and hugs to all.”
Where is David Allen Corneliusen now?
Corneliusen was formally charged on Tuesday. He appeared in Roseau County District Court the following day and was assessed $700,000 bail. According to court records, he remains in Roseau County Detention Center. His next court appearance is slated for October 9.
