Joseph Steven Jorgenson, a 41-year-old man from Woodbury, Minnesota, pleaded guilty Thursday to killing and dismembering two women in separate incidents. The gruesome discoveries were made in storage units in Woodbury and Coon Rapids.
Under a plea agreement, Jorgenson is set to receive two concurrent 40-year sentences for the deaths of Manijeh Starren in 2023 and Fanta Xayavong in 2021, prosecutors confirmed.
Details of the Sentencing Agreement
The charges stem from two counts of intentional second-degree murder. Under Minnesota law, 40 years is the maximum sentence for each count. Jorgenson will serve the sentences concurrently, with state guidelines requiring two-thirds of the term to be served in prison and the remainder under supervised release.
“These heinous acts of cruelty took the lives of two young women and forever altered the future of their friends and family,” said Ramsey County Attorney John Choi in a statement following the plea deal.
Case Unfolds After Missing Person Report
The investigation began in April 2023 when Starren’s father filed a missing person report. He informed authorities that Starren, who faced challenges with mental health and addiction, had failed to check in as usual.
Police found disturbing evidence in Starren’s apartment and surveillance footage, as well as activity on her social media and financial accounts, which pointed to Jorgenson as the primary suspect.
Recovered keys from Jorgenson’s apartment led investigators to a Woodbury storage facility, where they discovered Starren’s dismembered remains in two coolers and a large bag.
Connection to a Second Victim
While investigating Starren’s case, authorities uncovered evidence of a second victim, Fanta Xayavong, with whom Jorgenson had a relationship in 2021. Xayavong’s remains were found in a separate storage locker in Coon Rapids.
Impact on Victims’ Families
The killings have left a lasting impact on the families and friends of both women. Prosecutors described the murders as acts of “heinous cruelty” that robbed the victims of their futures.
Jorgenson’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for February 28, where he is expected to formally receive his concurrent 40-year sentences.
