ST. PAUL, Minn. — A Minnesota man pleaded guilty on Thursday to killing and dismembering two women, whose bodies were discovered in separate storage units. Joseph Steven Jorgenson, 41, of Woodbury, is set to be sentenced to two 40-year terms on February 28 under a plea deal for the deaths of Manijeh Starren in 2023 and Fanta Xayavong in 2021, as confirmed by prosecutors. The sentences, which are the maximum allowable under Minnesota law for intentional second-degree murder, will run concurrently. In Minnesota, it is customary for defendants to serve two-thirds of their sentences in prison and the remaining one-third under supervised release.
“This horrendous cruelty resulted in the loss of two young lives and forever changed the lives of their loved ones,” stated Ramsey County Attorney John Choi in a released statement.
The investigation was initiated following a missing person report filed by Starren’s father in April 2023. He informed authorities that Starren, who was grappling with mental health and addiction issues, had failed to check in as usual. Evidence obtained from her residence, surveillance footage, and her digital footprint led law enforcement to consider Jorgenson as the prime suspect.
Keys recovered from Jorgenson’s residence guided investigators to a storage facility in Woodbury where Starren’s dismembered remains were discovered in two separate coolers, alongside a sizable bag.
Through this inquiry, officials uncovered evidence linking a second victim, Xayavong, to Jorgenson. Xayavong, who had a prior relationship with the defendant in 2021, was found deceased in a distinct storage unit in Coon Rapids.
Jorgenson’s actions have shaken the local community, leaving a trail of tragedy and mourning in their wake. The upcoming sentencing will provide a measure of closure for the families of the victims, albeit the scars left behind by these egregious crimes will endure for a lifetime.
As the judicial process unfolds, the authorities are committed to ensuring that justice is served and that those responsible for these reprehensible acts are held to account, sending a clear message that such behavior will not be tolerated in our society.
