5 Shocking True Crime Cases That Shook North Dakota to Its Core

North Dakota may be known for its beautiful landscapes and small towns, but it’s not immune to shocking crimes that captivate the nation. Here are five high-profile true crime cases that have shaken North Dakota to its core:

1. The Greywind Case – In August 2017, 22-year-old Savanna Greywind was eight months pregnant when she went missing in Fargo. Her body was found eight days later in the Red River, wrapped in plastic and duct tape. Two neighbors were arrested and charged with her murder and kidnapping. The case shocked the community and sparked a conversation about missing and murdered Indigenous women.
2. The Valentis Murder – In 1993, four members of the Valenti family were brutally murdered in their home in Mandan. The killer, a family friend named William L. Ness, Jr., confessed to the crime and was sentenced to life in prison. The case remains one of the most gruesome crimes in North Dakota history.
3. The Chaseley Bank Robbery – In 1933, four men robbed the First State Bank of Chaseley of over $9,000, which was a huge sum of money at the time. The robbers escaped in a car and headed towards South Dakota, but were eventually caught by police. The Chaseley Bank Robbery is one of the most famous bank robberies in North Dakota history.
4. The Sjodin Murder – In 2003, 22-year-old University of North Dakota student Dru Sjodin disappeared from a mall parking lot in Grand Forks. Her body was found months later in a ravine near Crookston, Minnesota. Alfonso Rodriguez Jr. was convicted of kidnapping, raping, and murdering Sjodin, and was sentenced to death. The case led to the passage of “Dru’s Law,” which requires sex offenders to register their whereabouts.
5. The Miller Case – In 2016, Chad Isaak was arrested for the murders of four people at a Mandan business called RJR Maintenance and Management. Isaak, who had a history of harassing employees at the business, was identified through security footage and DNA evidence. The case is still ongoing, but if convicted, Isaak could face life in prison.

These five cases show that even in a quiet state like North Dakota, shocking and horrifying crimes can occur. The impact of these cases is felt by the victims’ families, the communities affected, and the nation as a whole.