The tragic disappearance of Manijeh "Mani" Starren, a 33-year-old mother of three from St. Paul, Minnesota, has reached a devastating conclusion. Her dismembered remains were discovered in a storage unit, and her boyfriend, 40-year-old Joseph Jorgenson, has been charged with her murder.
Starren was last seen alive on April 21, fleeing her apartment around 6 p.m., pursued by Jorgenson. Surveillance footage captures him catching her and forcing her back inside. She was never seen alive again.
According to St. Paul Sergeant Mike Ernster, Jorgenson was the only person observed leaving Starren's apartment after that incident. He never reported her missing, simply continuing his life as if nothing had happened. Starren's dismembered body was discovered in June, stored in coolers and bags within a Woodbury storage unit.
Adding another layer of concern to this case, police have revealed a possible connection between Jorgenson and the 2021 disappearance of 33-year-old Fanta Xayavong. Authorities express worry for Xayavong's safety, given her association with Jorgenson.
Starren's father initially reported her missing on May 1, expressing fears for her safety due to her boyfriend's behavior. He mentioned that Starren had confided in her son's father about a past incident where Jorgenson had choked her with a rope. Neighbors also reported witnessing Starren with injuries suggesting physical abuse, including a black eye and other marks. One neighbor even offered to contact the police, but Starren declined, fearing it would worsen the situation.
The investigation quickly focused on Jorgenson, who left a trail of evidence. He sent threatening and abusive text messages to Starren in early April. After her disappearance, he was seen entering her apartment numerous times with her keys. On April 28, he was observed carrying bags and a suitcase from her apartment to a truck. His Google search history revealed disturbing queries related to the jugular vein, police procedures for missing persons, and the use of lime for soil decomposition.
A search of Starren's apartment revealed a scene of violence, with bloodstains suggesting a serious injury or death. Neighbors at Jorgenson's Maplewood apartment reported a foul odor in mid-May. Later, he was seen struggling to remove large black duffle bags, leading building staff to suspect he was carrying a body. When police searched his apartment on June 26, Jorgenson barricaded himself inside and started a fire. He was apprehended after a struggle with the SWAT team, facing charges of arson, threats of violence, and disarming an officer. Further investigation led police to the storage unit containing Starren's remains.
While the manner of death is confirmed as homicide, the specific cause is still under investigation. A GoFundMe campaign has been established to support Starren's three children and cover funeral expenses. Jorgenson is currently held on $5 million bail, awaiting his next court appearance on August 21.
