MAPLEWOOD, MINNESOTA: Joseph Jorgenson, a 40-year-old man accused of dismembering his girlfriend Manjieh 'Mani' Starren and keeping her remains in a storage unit, has now been connected to the years-long disappearance of another woman Fanta Xayavong. Jorgenson's arrest last week, after a police standoff at his residence in Maplewood, unveiled disturbing evidence, including a web search for the word 'jugular' on the day Starren vanished. As authorities continue their investigation, concerns for Xayavong's safety grow, as she was last seen with Jorgenson in July 2021, after which she went missing.
The Saint Paul Police Department expressed their concern for Xayavong's well-being during a press conference on Friday, June 30, urging anyone with information about her case to come forward. “She does have a connection with Jorgensen, and, to put it bluntly, we’re concerned for her safety also," Sgt Mike Ernster told reporters. Described as 5 feet 4 inches tall and weighing 120 pounds, her last known location was possibly Shoreview. Although Xayavong went missing in July 2021, a missing person report was not filed until May 2023.
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Who is Joseph Jorgenson?
Jorgenson has been charged with second-degree murder in connection with Starren's death, facing a potential 40-year prison sentence if guilty. Following the discovery of Starren's body wrapped in plastic and stuffed in coolers at a storage facility rented under his roommate's name, Jorgenson's arrest shed light on the disturbing circumstances surrounding her disappearance.
The case first came to light on May 1 when Starren's father reported her missing after not hearing from her since April 21. Police learned that Starren had allegedly been a victim of domestic violence, with accounts suggesting Jorgenson had once wrapped a rope around her neck. Witnesses also reported seeing her with a black eye and red marks on her neck. Security footage revealed Starren running from her apartment on April 21, with Jorgenson forcibly pulling her back inside. Over the next week, Jorgenson was captured on camera entering and exiting the residence 28 times, sometimes carrying a suitcase and duffle bags, but Starren was never seen again.
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Upon searching Jorgenson's Maplewood apartment, authorities discovered broken furniture and appliances, as well as bloodstains in the living room and kitchen that were later confirmed to belong to Starren. A SWAT team raided Jorgenson's residence, resulting in a standoff where he allegedly started a fire and resisted arrest. He reportedly attempted to grab a SWAT officer's AR-15 before ultimately being taken into custody. Jorgenson faces additional charges of arson, threats of violence, and disarming an officer related to the incident, Law & Crime reported.
Neighbors complained about foul odor from his apartment
Further investigation unveiled disturbing details surrounding the disappearance of Starren. The building manager of Jorgenson's residence informed the police that residents had complained about a foul odor emanating from his apartment in mid-May, describing it as a smell resembling something dead. Shortly thereafter, the manager and a maintenance employee observed Jorgenson carrying large black duffle bags out of the apartment, leading them to suspect he was disposing of a body.
On June 29, the Ramsey County Medical Examiner's Office confirmed that the dismembered remains found in a Woodbury storage facility belonged to Manijeh Starren. The medical examiner noted that the torso, head, limbs, and feet had been meticulously wrapped in multiple layers of plastic and bags, indicating a deliberate effort to conceal the remains. Jorgenson is the prime suspect, as he was the only individual seen accessing the storage unit where Starren's remains were discovered. "Jorgenson is the only one that comes out of that unit, and Mani is never seen again," Sgt Ernster noted at the Friday news conference. "He did not report her missing to the police. Instead, he just went on with his life without saying anything to anyone."
Online records and disturbing messages
Online records further implicated Jorgenson in Starren's murder. Text messages and activity associated with Starren's food stamp card pointed to Jorgenson's involvement in her death. These suspicions are further solidified by the disturbing Google searches he made. Two weeks before Starren vanished, Jorgenson sent threatening messages, one of which alluded to punishment by hanging. "N u owe me 2 bc u called the cops on me 2 times. Very clear I was of that being punishable by hanging. I'm giving u this plea bargain opportunity. So yw," the message read. "Hope u die of a kidney infection u b***h c**t terrible f**king mother," another noted. His search history revealed inquiries about the jugular, police handling of missing persons' reports, and methods to clear cookies from an Android phone. Notably, Jorgenson's search for "lime for soil" on June 4 raised suspicions due to lime's potential role in accelerating decomposition and masking the odor of decaying bodies.
As the investigation continues, the community has rallied to support Starren's family through a GoFundMe campaign to cover funeral expenses. The Saint Paul Police Department expressed its commitment to bringing justice to those responsible for such heinous crimes, emphasizing the danger posed by Jorgenson and the department's dedication to community safety. Saint Paul Police Chief Axel Henry stated, "Any crime that occurs in our community is horrific. A homicide is among the worst of all crimes for family, for our community, and even our investigators. Our department is committed to bringing those who cause harm to justice, and now a very dangerous person is under arrest. The apprehension of this suspect illustrated the danger he posed to the public, and the dedication of our officers to protect our community."
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