Tragic Murder in Minnesota
A Minnesota man, Matthew Brenneman, 40, has pleaded guilty to murdering his ex-girlfriend, Danicka Bergeson, just days after being released from jail for a prior assault against her. The horrific incident occurred in July 2023 and has left the community in shock.
Discovery of the Crime
Authorities discovered Bergeson’s body on July 8, 2023, in a home in Hopkins, Minnesota. Responding to reports of “groaning, yelling, and banging,” police found Brenneman in a bathroom smelling of bleach. Bergeson, 33, was found deceased in a bedroom, tightly wrapped in multiple blankets with a plastic garbage bag over her head.
Chilling Notes
During the investigation, police uncovered several notes allegedly written by Brenneman. One note read, “I’m very sad and remorseful about all of this, but it is what it is.” Another note detailed Brenneman’s state of mind, stating, “I blacked out and lost control and sadly hurt a woman for the first time in my life.”
Legal Proceedings
Brenneman was taken to a hospital for medical care before being booked into jail. He has pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including second-degree murder. Authorities reported a phone call Brenneman made to a relative from jail, in which he acknowledged the severity of his crime, saying, “…that’s kind of what it is anyway,” in response to a discussion about crimes of passion carrying lighter sentences.
Previous Assault
At the time of the murder, Brenneman had been out of jail for less than two weeks after pleading guilty to an earlier assault on Bergeson. This prior incident and the subsequent tragic events have highlighted the ongoing issue of domestic violence and the need for more stringent measures to protect victims.
