Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN (trfnews.i234.me)—Joseph Steven Jorgenson, 41, of Maplewood, Minnesota, pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree murder for the deaths of Manijeh “Mani” Starren, 34, and Fanta Xayavong, 33. Both women were reported missing and later found dismembered in separate storage units.
As part of a plea agreement, Jorgenson will serve two concurrent 40-year sentences, the maximum penalty allowed by Minnesota law for each offense. The sentencing is scheduled for February 28 in Ramsey County District Court.
The investigation began in April 2023 when Starren was reported missing. Evidence, including surveillance footage and forensic analysis, led investigators to Jorgenson. Keys found in his residence directed authorities to a storage unit in Woodbury, where Starren’s dismembered remains were discovered.
During the investigation, connections were made to the 2021 disappearance of Xayavong. Her remains were located in a storage unit in Coon Rapids, with evidence linking the crime to Jorgenson’s residence in Shoreview.
In addition to the murder charges, a separate arson charge against Jorgenson, filed in June 2023, will be dismissed as part of the plea agreement. Ramsey County officials have stated there are no additional homicide cases involving Jorgenson at this time.
I’m Chris Harper, reporting for trfnews.i234.me