A tragic story unfolded in Minnesota this week as a man admitted to killing and dismembering two women he had been in relationships with. Joseph Jorgenson, 41, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in connection with the deaths of Fanta Xayavong, 33, and Manijeh “Mani” Starren, 34. Each crime carries a possible sentence of up to 40 years in prison.
In a somber courtroom, Jorgenson recounted the horrifying details of the killings. He shared that in September 2021, he and Xayavong were living together in a townhome when an argument turned violent. He confessed to beating her, thinking at one point she had passed out. When he checked on her, he realized she had died. Overcome with panic, he dismembered her body and hid her remains in a storage unit.
Jorgenson admitted feeling regret afterward but stated his intent during the act had been to kill her. He described a similar pattern with Starren. The two were arguing at her apartment when she asked him to leave. Instead, he choked her and later dismembered her body using a razor blade. He initially stored her remains in his apartment before moving them to a separate storage unit.
Starren’s family grew concerned after losing contact with her in April 2023 and reported her missing to the Saint Paul Police Department. Surveillance footage from outside her apartment revealed chilling evidence. The video showed her running out of her apartment, followed by Jorgenson, who caught up to her, grabbed her, and pushed her back inside. She was never seen again. Investigators later noted that Jorgenson did not report her missing and simply carried on with his life.
In June 2023, police executed a search warrant at Jorgenson’s home. During the search, Jorgenson attempted to resist arrest by starting a fire and trying to disarm officers but was taken into custody on unrelated charges. Days later, the investigation led officers to a storage facility in Woodbury, Minnesota. There, they made a horrifying discovery: Starren’s dismembered remains were found in coolers and a duffel bag.
As authorities investigated further, they uncovered another grim secret. Xayavong’s remains were discovered in a different storage unit about 35 miles from where Starren’s remains were found. A tip from someone who knew Xayavong and feared for her safety helped police locate her. This person reported that Xayavong had been in an abusive relationship with Jorgenson and had stopped communicating with them.
Both women were mothers, leaving behind children and families devastated by these senseless acts. Friends and loved ones described Xayavong as a beautiful soul with a vibrant smile that could light up a room. A GoFundMe page set up in her memory highlighted her selfless nature and kind heart.
Starren’s family, similarly, mourns the loss of a mother who was taken far too soon. Police and community members alike are grappling with the shock of these tragedies.
Jorgenson is scheduled to be sentenced on February 28, where he could face decades behind bars for his actions.
