Man Admits to Killing, Dismembering 2 Women in Saint Paul
A man pled guilty this week to two counts of second-degree intentional murder for killing and dismembering two women in separate incidents in 2021 and 2023.
As part of a plea agreement, Joseph Steven Jorgenson, 40, will serve two concurrent 40-year sentences, the maximum allowed by Minnesota law for each offense.
The victims, identified as Manijeh Starren, 33, and Fanta Xayavong, 31, were reported missing under similar circumstances. Investigators later discovered their dismembered remains in separate storage facilities in Woodbury and Coon Rapids, respectively.
“These heinous acts of cruelty took the lives of two young women and forever altered the future of their friends and family,” Ramsey County Attorney John Choi said in a statement. “We commend the diligent work of law enforcement and our staff who worked tirelessly to bring about charges leading to convictions supported by the evidence, offering a measure of closure for each victim’s family.”
The investigation began in April 2023, when Saint Paul Police received a missing person report for Starren from her father. He described her struggles with mental health and addiction but said she typically maintained regular contact. Over the following weeks, police reviewed surveillance footage, social media activity, and EBT account history, eventually identifying Jorgenson as the primary suspect in her disappearance.
A search of Jorgenson’s digital accounts revealed evidence suggesting he killed and dismembered Ms. Starren. Though her apartment appeared undisturbed, forensic analysis detected substantial amounts of blood that had been cleaned. Keys recovered from Jorgenson’s residence led investigators to a storage unit in Woodbury, where Ms. Starren’s dismembered remains were found in two coolers and a bag.
While investigating Ms. Starren’s case, authorities uncovered evidence linking Jorgenson to the 2021 disappearance of Ms. Xayavong. Her remains were discovered in a separate storage unit in Coon Rapids, with evidence tying the crime to Jorgenson’s residence in Shoreview.
As part of the plea agreement, prosecutors agreed to dismiss a separate arson charge filed against Jorgenson in June 2023. Ramsey County officials stated they have no additional homicide cases involving Jorgenson at this time.
Jorgenson is set to be sentenced on Feb. 28 at 11 a.m. in Ramsey County District Court.
> See more of our latest coverage
