Joseph Steven Jorgenson, a 41-year-old man from Woodbury, Minnesota, pleaded guilty to the killing and dismembering of two women, Manijeh Starren and Fanta Xayavong, whose bodies were found in separate storage units. Jorgenson is expected to be sentenced to two 40-year terms for the intentional second-degree murder of both victims, serving them concurrently, which is the maximum sentence under Minnesota law for each count of intentional second-degree murder. He is set to be sentenced on February 28. In Minnesota, defendants usually serve two-thirds of their sentences in prison and one-third on supervised release.
The killings of Starren and Xayavong were described as heinous acts of cruelty that took the lives of two young women and forever altered the futures of their friends and families, according to Ramsey County Attorney John Choi. The investigation into the deaths began after Starren’s father reported her missing in April 2023, stating that she had not checked in as usual and struggled with mental health and addiction challenges. Evidence from her apartment, surveillance video, and her social media and financial accounts led police to consider Jorgenson as the primary suspect in her disappearance.
Keys recovered from Jorgenson’s apartment were instrumental in leading investigators to a storage facility in Woodbury where Starren’s dismembered remains were found in two separate coolers and a large bag. During the investigation of Starren’s death, evidence was discovered linking Jorgenson to a second victim, Xayavong, with whom he had a relationship in 2021. Xayavong’s remains were found in a separate storage locker in Coon Rapids, adding to the charges against Jorgenson for the murder of two women.
The plea deal entered by Jorgenson marked his acknowledgment of the crimes he committed in the deaths of Starren and Xayavong. By pleading guilty, he agreed to the terms of the maximum 40-year sentences for each count of murder under Minnesota law. The concurrent serving of the sentences means that Jorgenson will only have to serve one 40-year term for the deaths of both victims, rather than serving them consecutively. This sentencing structure is common in Minnesota, with defendants typically serving two-thirds of their sentences in prison and the remaining third on supervised release.
Jorgenson’s guilty plea and expected sentencing brought some closure to the families and friends of Starren and Xayavong, who were deeply impacted by the loss of their loved ones due to Jorgenson’s heinous acts. Ramsey County Attorney John Choi emphasized the severity of the crimes and the impact they had on the victims’ loved ones, highlighting the importance of holding perpetrators accountable for their actions. The investigation and prosecution of Jorgenson showcased the commitment of law enforcement and prosecutors in seeking justice for the victims and their families, ensuring that Jorgenson would be held responsible for the murders of Starren and Xayavong.
As Jorgenson awaits his sentencing on February 28, the community remains shocked and saddened by the disturbing nature of the crimes he committed. The deaths of Starren and Xayavong serve as tragic reminders of the violence and cruelty that exists in society, causing pain and suffering to the victims and their families. The legal proceedings against Jorgenson shed light on the importance of upholding the law and ensuring that justice is served for those who have been wronged. Through the plea deal and sentencing of Jorgenson, efforts are being made to provide some closure to the families of the victims and seek accountability for the lives that were lost at the hands of a cold-blooded killer.
