Rochester Woman Charged in Strangulation Death, Theft
Photo via Olmsted County Jail
Formal criminal charges have been filed against Ruth Ann Miller, 25, following the death of a man in Rochester's Mayo Park West on June 15, 2024.
Miller is charged with second-degree murder, theft, and interference with a dead body, according to a criminal complaint filed in Olmsted County District Court.
Rochester police say they responded to Mayo Park West at approximately 6:57 a.m. on June 15 after a bystander found a man unresponsive in the grass. Officers discovered the man with foam and blood around his mouth and nose. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities noted that his pockets were emptied, and no personal belongings were found nearby.
Security footage revealed that the victim had not been in the area the previous night, and witnesses reported seeing him alive at about 9:45 p.m. near Mayo Civic Center. Another bystander reported seeing him motionless in the park at 5:40 a.m.
Miller came forward to police on June 26, stating that she had strangled the victim with a cloth belt at his request, claiming he had asked her to kill him. According to Miller, she placed her foot on the victim’s face and pulled the belt tight until he stopped breathing. After confirming his death, Miller said she took the victim’s wallet, phone, and vape, disposing of the belt and the items at various locations around the city.
During the investigation, Miller led officers to the Rochester Public Library, where police recovered several of the victim’s belongings. The autopsy confirmed that the victim had died by asphyxiation, with no other medical factors contributing to his death.
Miller faces a maximum sentence of 40 years for second-degree murder. She remains in custody on $1 million bail. Her next court appearance is scheduled for later this month.
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