Minnesota’s Most Infamous: 5 High-Profile True Crime Cases

Minnesota may be known as the “Land of 10,000 Lakes,” but it’s also been the site of some high-profile true crime cases. From cold-blooded murders to kidnappings, these cases have captured national attention and left an indelible mark on the state’s history. Here are five of Minnesota’s most infamous true crime cases:

1. Jacob Wetterling Kidnapping: In 1989, 11-year-old Jacob Wetterling was kidnapped in rural Minnesota while riding his bike with his brother and a friend. The case went unsolved for 27 years until Danny Heinrich confessed to the crime in 2016. Heinrich is currently serving a 20-year sentence for child pornography.
2. John Beargrease Murders: In 1985, John Beargrease, a Native American sled dog racer, was murdered along with his girlfriend and their unborn child. The case went cold until 1995, when an inmate in a Wisconsin prison confessed to the crime. The inmate was already serving a life sentence for another murder.
3. Marjorie Caldwell Murder: In 1957, Marjorie Caldwell, a prominent socialite, was found dead in her Minneapolis home. The case went unsolved for over 50 years until a retired police detective picked it up and eventually identified the killer as her husband, T. Eugene Thompson. Thompson had died in 1980, so he was never charged with the crime.
4. Amy Sue Pagnac Disappearance: In 1989, 13-year-old Amy Sue Pagnac disappeared from a gas station in Osseo, Minnesota. Her case remains unsolved, but her father has been named a person of interest in her disappearance. Pagnac’s mother believes that her daughter was sold into human trafficking.
5. Mary Stauffer Kidnapping: In 1980, Mary Stauffer, a Minnesota teacher, and her 8-year-old daughter were kidnapped by a former student, Ming Sen Shiue. They were held captive for 53 days before they managed to escape. Shiue was eventually caught and sentenced to 30 years in prison.

Minnesota may be known for its cold winters, but these true crime cases prove that there are some chilling stories that are even more bone-chilling. These cases have left an indelible mark on the state’s history and continue to fascinate true crime enthusiasts to this day.