A murder investigation has led to the filing of charges against Joseph S. Jorgenson, the boyfriend of a missing woman from St. Paul, Your Content has learned.
The remains of Manijeh “Mani” Starren, 33, were found dismembered in a storage unit, prompting prosecutors in Ramsey County to charge Jorgenson, 40, with second-degree murder. Allegedly, Starren was murdered in mid-April. Jorgenson was taken into custody after deliberately setting a fire in his Maplewood apartment when law enforcement arrived with a search warrant.
Court documents revealed that Starren’s dismembered remains were discovered in two coolers and a duffle bag kept in a storage unit located in Woodbury.
The St. Paul Police Department is scheduled to provide further details about the investigation in a press conference later today.
The criminal complaint states that Starren’s apartment showed significant amounts of blood and other evidence suggesting a serious injury or homicide occurred there.
Surveillance footage from April 21 captured Starren fleeing her apartment before being intercepted and forced back inside by Jorgenson.
In the subsequent week, videos depicted Jorgenson frequently entering and exiting Starren’s apartment.
On April 28, he was recorded carrying duffle bags and a suitcase from the premises, loading them into his truck.
In May, Jorgenson allegedly used Starren’s EBT card for multiple transactions, including purchasing cleaning supplies such as a bucket, plastic wrap, paper towels, garbage bags, liquid cleaner, latex gloves, and disinfectant wipes at the Dollar Tree.
Charges also point to Jorgenson’s history of abusive behavior towards Starren, as indicated by text messages and witness interviews.
Furthermore, his internet search history revealed inquiries related to lime’s effects on soil, which can expedite decomposition and reduce odors.
The apartment manager at Jorgenson’s Maplewood residence reported receiving numerous complaints about a strong odor emanating from his apartment in mid-May.
The smell affected the entire building. When the manager and a maintenance employee attempted to inspect the apartment, Jorgenson obstructed them physically, denying access to the bedroom.
The manager informed Jorgenson and another resident that the apartment needed cleaning within a week.
Shortly after, the manager and employee observed Jorgenson carrying and dragging large black duffle bags out of the apartment, leading them to comment that it resembled “carrying a dead body.”
Inside Jorgenson’s apartment, the police discovered a substantial pool of blood in the closet. By utilizing cell phone location data, law enforcement was able to trace the Woodbury storage unit where Starren’s remains were ultimately found, according to FlipBoard.
For those affected by domestic violence, more information about available services can be found through the Minnesota DPS. Additionally, the Day One Crisis Hotline can be reached at 1-866-223-1111.