Woman Lured By Ad Found Dead In Park

[odette]

Woman Lured By Ad Found Dead In Park

Victim, 24, responded to baby-sitting job on craigslist; Savage man, 19, arrested

twincities.com - BY ELIZABETH MOHR - Pioneer Press - 10/28/2007

A 24-year-old Minneapolis woman went to Savage seeking a baby-sitting job posted on craigslist.org.

Instead, police say, Katherine Ann Olson met her killer.

Police found Olson's body in the trunk of her vehicle Friday night in a park in Burnsville. They believe she was lured to Savage by the Internet ad and killed.

Shortly after locating Olson's body, police arrested a 19-year-old Savage man in connection with her death. The man was taken into custody Friday at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, where he works. — continued: »

Excerpt: Police were tipped off about possible foul play 24 hours later, when someone called to report a purse found in a garbage can in a Savage park.

Officers called Olson's residence to notify her they had found her purse and received a return call from one of her roommates, who said she'd been missing since the day before.

"Obviously, we shifted gears quickly," Muelken said, "from a missing property to missing person case."

Police returned to the same place the purse was located and found a garbage bag that contained a "significantly bloody towel," according to Muelken.

http://www.twincities.com/allheadlin...nclick_check=1

[odette]

Woman found dead in a Burnsville park had responded to Craigslist ad for babysitter

twincities.com - BY ELIZABETH MOHR - Pioneer Press - 10/27/2007

A 24-year-old Minneapolis woman went to Savage seeking a baby-sitting job posted on craigslist.org.

Instead, police say, Katherine Ann Olson met her killer.

Police found Olson's body in the trunk of her vehicle Friday night in a park in Burnsville. They believe she was lured to Savage by the Internet ad and murdered.

Shortly after locating Olson's body, police arrested a 19-year-old Savage man in connection with her death. The man was taken into custody Friday at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, where he works.

"We believe our suspect posted that ad and that is what led (Olson) to Savage," Savage police Capt. David Muelken said today. A letter on a Facebook.com memorial to Olson from her parents said she believed "a married couple who recently relocated to the Twin Cities" had posted the ad. — continued: »

Katherine Ann Olson (Courtesy of family)

http://www.twincities.com/ci_7299353...e=most_emailed

[odette]

Police say online ad for nanny leads to costs woman her life

bemidjipioneer.com - The Associated Press - Sunday, October 28, 2007

An online ad seeking a nanny cost a Cottage Grove woman her life, police said Saturday. — continued: »

Excerpt: Citing the ongoing investigation, police were cautious about the details they released. They declined to say how Katherine Olson might have been killed or whether a weapon was used. They said they weren't sure of a motive.

http://www.bemidjipioneer.com/ap/ind...w&id=D8SHVUCG0

[odette]

Twin Cities woman killed after answering Internet ad

kare11.com - Trisha Volpe

Katherine Ann Olson had accomplished a lot in just 24 years.

She was co-valedictorian at her high school in Cottage Grove. She studied theatre at St. Olaf. She traveled the world, even joined the circus in Argentina and worked as a nanny in Turkey.

Her family says Katherine hoped that experience would help find her a job at home in the TwinCities. — continued: »

Excerpt: Police say Katherine Olson simply answered the Craig's List ad, and the person who posted it killed her.

That man is 19-years-old and from Savage. He's now in the Scott County jail on suspicion of murder.

"It's not the typical, by any means, homicide where most of them there's some type of relationship between the victim and the suspect. And we have not, at this point, other than the Craig's List connection determined anything further than that," says Captain David Muelken with the Savage Police Department.

At this point police are still trying to determine where and how Katherine was killed and why.

»
http://www.kare11.com/news/news_arti...storyid=268340

[odette]

Police say online ad for nanny costs woman her life

» Police arrest man in the murder of Cottage Grove woman

Article & Video
http://kstp.com/article/stories/S238731.shtml?cat=206

[odette]

Savage Homicide Linked to Craig's List Ad

myfoxtwincities.com - 27 Oct 2007

SAVAGE, MN -- It’s only the second homicide investigation for the Savage Police Department in 25 years, but the family of 24-year-old victim Katherine Olson say she was even more unique alive.

“She was a bright light and free spirit and wonderful child,” describes her mother, Nancy. “We will miss her terribly.” — continued: »

Excerpt: Adored by everyone and very trusting, she found a babysitting job on Craig’s List. That’s what brought her to Savage on Thursday morning. Family members say it sounded kind of fishy, but Katherine wanted to check it out.

http://www.myfoxtwincities.com/myfox...Y&pageId=3.2.1

[odette]

Caution urged after woman's murder

kare11.com

Katherine Olson was an internet junkie. The family of the 24-year-old Minneapolis woman says she often found jobs online.

"This is what twenty somethings are doing," Olson's mother, Nancy, said. — continued: »

Excerpt: Authorities have arrested a 19-year-old Savage man. They suspect he placed the ad, then killed Olson.

Authorities have not yet released his name.

A neighbor described the suspect as an average kid.

"He hung out with his buddies and he was a good neighbor kid and he kept to himself," Brenda Von Bank said.

http://www.kare11.com/news/news_arti...storyid=268354

[odette]

Craigslist founder: "I can't recall a single case like this"

kare11.com - 10/29/2007

The founder of Craigslist.org believes the death of a Twin Cities woman is the first murder ever linked to the website.

"I can't recall a single case like it," Craig Newmark tells KARE 11 News. "This is the worst that I can recall." — continued: »

»
http://www.kare11.com/news/ts_articl...storyid=268375

[odette]

Charges in nanny-ad slaying possible today

startribune.com - Chao Xiong - October 28, 2007

A friend of the Savage teen being held in the death of Katherine Ann Olson expressed shock, describing him as "a pretty good guy."

The Savage teenager arrested in connection with the death of a 24-year-old Twin Cities woman is a "quiet" kid who is into cars, fishing and biking, a friend said Sunday. Steve McCutchan, 20, said authorities questioned him Saturday about the suspect. Authorities told him the suspect was arrested in the death of Katherine Ann Olson, but didn't specify his role, McCutchan said.

"I was shocked," he said Sunday. "I couldn't see him doing something like this."

Savage police would not name the suspect, but have described him as a 19-year-old Savage resident. Authorities have also said there is no threat to the public. Charges could be filed as early as today, they said. — continued: »

http://www.startribune.com/462/story/1513983.html

[odette]

Craigslist users wary after killing of baby-sitter

twincities.com - AMY CARLSON GUSTAFSON AND NICK FERRARO - Pioneer Press - 10/28/2007

Jenifer Callen didn't like some of the responses to an ad she posted on craigslist.org last week. The 29-year-old Minneapolis resident was trying to sell some furniture, but along with legitimate responses, she also got some "creepy e-mails."

Callen decided not to answer the e-mails and instead posted a couple of them on her blog to let people know what she had encountered.

A day after the news of the death of Katherine Ann Olson, a 24-year-old Cottage Grove woman police believe was killed by a man posing as a potential employer on craigslist, Callen and other users of the popular online service are reconsidering how they will conduct business on craigslist.

"I feel incredibly lucky and actually guilty at the same time," Callen said on Sunday. "Despite those e-mails I got, I didn't answer them. I knew they were fake, and I didn't answer them." — continued: »

http://www.twincities.com/allheadlines/ci_7307789

[odette]

Guest Book For Katherine Ann Olson

- legacy.com -

http://www.legacy.com/TwinCities/GB/...sonId=96932016

[odette]

Murder suspect expected to be charged tomorrow

savagepacer.com - Nancy Huddleston - Monday, October 29, 2007 - 8:56am

The 19-year-old man from Savage suspected of having something to do with the death of Katherine Ann Olson is expected to be charged tomorrow by the Scott County Attorney. — continued: »

http://www.savagepacer.com/node/4904

[odette]

Craigslist users wary after killing of baby-sitter

twincities.com - AMY CARLSON GUSTAFSON AND NICK FERRARO - Pioneer Press - 10/28/2007 11:04:46 PM CDT

Excerpt: The Savage police would not release the suspect's name Sunday evening. However, the *Scott County Jail's online roster included 19-year-old Michael John Anderson, of Savage, who was booked early Saturday morning in connection with a murder investigation. Formal charges could come today.

http://www.twincities.com/allheadlines/ci_7307789

*Scott County Sheriff's Office
http://www.co.scott.mn.us/wps/PA_1_0...d=200700005104

[Jo_Momma_82]

Throughout the pregnancy, I often searched craigslist for baby furniture. When it came down to actually emailing or calling any of these people, I couldn't do it b/c I would think "what if I get there (big and pregnant) with my 3 little ones and something happens ?"... so, I never followed through. Things like this turn unsuspecting people (buyers and sellers) into easy prey..... if anyone on here decides to meet with a stranger for whatever reason, please take someone with you and atleast a can of mace !

We shouldn't live our lives in fear but, at the same time.... things like this happen !

My prayers go out too Katherines family and I hope this boy has atleast enough of a conscience for this too eat him alive for the rest of his life while he (hopefully) rots in jail.

[odette]

Neighbor In Disbelief Over Craigslist Murder

wcco.com - John Lauritsen - Oct 29, 2007

SAVAGE, Minn. (WCCO) ― Charges are expected to be filed on Tuesday against a 19-year-old Savage man accused of murdering a Minneapolis woman.

Police say the suspect used a babysitting ad on Craigslist to connect with Katherine Ann Olson before killing her. Her body was found in the trunk of her car at Kraemer Nature Preserve in Burnsville on Friday.

On Monday, a neighbor of the suspect reacted to his arrest. — continued: »

http://wcco.com/crime/craigslist.mur....2.415173.html

[Joe Public]

The internet is getting more and more dangerous. My daughter was solicited for sex while she was in the chat room on Nick.com. My mother didn't think that allowing her to talk to other "kids" hurt anything. My daughter is 7 years old. I didn't find out until after my daughter ask if "dick" was a name or not. When I asked where she had see that word she said in the chat room at Nick.com.

When I dropped her off at her mother's I told her what happened and I contacted the sheriff's department. I worked with the computer crimes detective and he traced the account to an email and the email to an IP address. He then got a search warrant for the computer and found more than 300 pictures of children engaged in sex acts.

And here is the kicker, the guy lived 6 miles from my home. I only wish I could get my hands on that guy. Because that conversation with my daughter shouldn't have needed to be had for at least a couple years. I now have all the chat rooms on the sites she is allowed on for fun and school blocked on her computer profile. I'm the admin on the computer so I can limit what she is exposed to now. As much as humanly possible now anyway.

It makes you sick.

[WarmNCozy]

Originally Posted by Joe Public

The internet is getting more and more dangerous. My daughter was solicited for sex while she was in the chat room on Nick.com. My mother didn't think that allowing her to talk to other "kids" hurt anything. My daughter is 7 years old. I didn't find out until after my daughter ask if "dick" was a name or not. When I asked where she had see that word she said in the chat room at Nick.com.

When I dropped her off at her mother's I told her what happened and I contacted the sheriff's department. I worked with the computer crimes detective and he traced the account to an email and the email to an IP address. He then got a search warrant for the computer and found more than 300 pictures of children engaged in sex acts.

And here is the kicker, the guy lived 6 miles from my home. I only wish I could get my hands on that guy. Because that conversation with my daughter shouldn't have needed to be had for at least a couple years. I now have all the chat rooms on the sites she is allowed on for fun and school blocked on her computer profile. I'm the admin on the computer so I can limit what she is exposed to now. As much as humanly possible now anyway.

It makes you sick.

7 years old and in chat rooms? Personal computers were not around when my children were small. They had PacMan. It is so dangerous today. They can't even go out alone anywhere for fear of being "picked off" by some pervert.

[odette]

As a family mourns, world shares its grief

Condolences pour in from across globe; services moved to handle overflow crowds

twincities.com - BY RICHARD CHIN - 10/29/2007

Who comforts the pastor when it's his family that is struck with tragedy?

It seems to be everyone, Rolf Olson says.

Olson, a longtime Lutheran minister, is the father of Katherine Ann Olson, the 24-year-old Minneapolis woman who police believe was killed by a man posing as a potential employer on craigslist.

"I'm overwhelmed with the volume of support and the love and everything. It's wonderful. We're finding incredible consolation from the love of others," Olson said Monday. — continued: »

http://www.twincities.com/allheadlines/ci_7316587

[odette]

Details few in craigslist killing

Charges expected today should reveal more in the death of a 24-year-old Minneapolis woman

twincities.com - JOHN BREWER and ELIZABETH MOHR - 10/29/2007

Michael John Anderson, 19, of Savage, has been in Scott County Jail since Friday in connection with a murder investigation.

Katherine Ann Olson's body was found in the trunk of her car at Kraemer Nature Preserve in Burnsville.

Craigslist users have said they are taking more precautions, and some have stopped using the site entirely.

Family and friends can only wait.

Without charges, without any new details about the craigslist killing, there is only speculation about how a talented, well-liked young woman went to check on a baby-sitting job and ended up dead in Burnsville, her body abandoned in the trunk of her car. — continued: »

http://www.twincities.com/allheadlin...nclick_check=1

[odette]

Charges anticipated today in 'craigslist' nanny killing

Scott County prosecutors are expected today to charge a 19-year-old man from Savage in the killing of a woman while she was answering an ad for a nanny on Craigslist.org.

startribune.com - CURT BROWN and EMILY JOHNS - October 30, 2007

Scott County prosecutors are expected today to charge a 19-year-old man from Savage in the killing of a woman while she was answering an ad for a nanny on Craigslist.org.

Family members said that Katherine Ann Olson, 24, disappeared after responding to a nanny job in Savage that she found on Craigslist.org. The St. Olaf College grad was found dead in the trunk of her car Friday in a Burnsville park.

Monday, a Wayzata nanny agency sent memos to 12,000 young women in its national database, urging caution online. A University of Minnesota student considered a different, perhaps safer, way to sell her $850 flute. — continued: »

http://www.startribune.com/462/story/1517285.html

[odette]

Charges filed in killing of Mpls. woman who answered online ad...

kxmc.com - KXNewsTeam - Oct 30 2007

SHAKOPEE, Minn. (AP) A 19-year-old Savage man is charged with second-degree murder for allegedly killing a woman who answered an online job posting for a babysitting job.

The criminal complaint alleges that Michael John Anderson shot and killed Katherine Ann Olson.

Authorities say blood was found in Anderson's home, and a gun was found in his bedroom. — continued: »

http://www.kxmc.com/News/176024.asp

[odette]

Bail set at $1 million for suspect in craigslist killing

twincities.com - ELIZABETH MOHR, JOHN BREWER AND NANCY YANG - 10/30/2007

Authorities today charged a 19-year-old Savage man with second-degree murder, fatally shot her in the back with a .357 Magnum.

Authorities set bail at $1 million for Michael John Anderson. His defense attorneys have decided not to challenge that now, but may take it up later. Anderson's first court appearance is set for 8:30 a.m. Nov. 16. — continued: »

http://www.twincities.com/allheadlines/ci_7321518

[odette]

Savage Man Charged in Minnesota Craigslist Murder

Woman murdered after answering Craigslist babysitting post

myfoxtwincities.com - 30 Oct 2007

SAVAGE, Minn. -- A 19-year-old Savage man has been charged with second-degree murder in the death of a woman looking for a babysitting job on Craigslist in Minnesota. According to the criminal complaint, Michael Anderson, allegedly shot and killed 24-year-old Katherine Ann Olson. Police say blood was found in Anderson’s home and a gun was found in his bedroom. — continued: »

http://www.myfoxtwincities.com/myfox...Y&pageId=1.1.1

Michael Anderson

[odette]

Murder charges in craigslist case

edenprairienews.com - Nancy Huddleston - October 30, 2007

Michael John Anderson, 19, of Savage has been charged with second-degree murder for the killing of a young woman who answered a craigslist advertisement for a babysitter. Bail is set at $1 million.

The criminal complaint details that Katherine Ann Olson, 24, of Minneapolis was shot in the back at Anderson’s parents’ home, 12649 Kipling Ave., in downtown Savage. Police said that Anderson initially denied knowing Olson or placing the craigslist ad, but when confronted with information to the contrary from cell phone records and e-mails, Anderson changed his story.

“The defendant then admitted that he was present when Katherine Ann Olson was killed, but that another person had killed her. The defendant stated that he has a friend that thought it would be funny,” according to the complaint. — continued: »


http://www.edenprairienews.com/node/3389

[odette]

Latest: Bail for Craigslist slaying suspect is set at $1 million

sctimes.com - October 30. 2007

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A 19-year-old Savage man was charged with second-degree murder today for allegedly killing a woman who answered an online job posting for a baby-sitting job.

Michael John Anderson allegedly shot Katherine Ann Olson in the back and killed her, according to a criminal complaint filed in Scott County District Court. His bail was set today at $1 million.

Authorities said blood stains and drag marks were found in Anderson’s home, and a. 357-caliber Magnum was found in his bedroom. A neighbor saw Olson’s gold Hyundai Elantra sitting in front of Anderson’s house for over two hours on Thursday, the complaint said. — continued: »

http://www.sctimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll...110300049/1009

[odette]

Olson remembered as adventurous, thoughtful

swcbulletin.com - Judy Spooner - October 30, 2007

Nothing fazed Katherine Olson. She was only 24, but she’d already made it to Argentina, Turkey and Egypt with plans to head next for Spain.

“She wanted to live everywhere. She had something lined up all the time,” said her sister, Sarah Richter. “She danced on the edge of life.” — continued: »

Katherine Ann Olson

http://www.swcbulletin.com/articles/...1&section=news

[odette]

kare11.com - 10/30/2007

» Read the Criminal Complaint — PDF Document
» Scott County Attorney Pat Ciliberto

http://www.kare11.com/news/news_arti...storyid=268491

http://www.kare11.com/pdf/AndersonCC.pdf

[odette]

Teen Charged In Craigslist Nanny Slaying

19-Year-Old Faces Murder Charge In Death Of Woman Who Answered Online Job Ad

cbsnews.com - SAVAGE, Minn., Oct. 30, 2007

CBS/AP) A 19-year-old man was charged with second-degree murder Tuesday in the killing of a woman who answered an ad on Craigslist for a baby sitter. — continued: »

Excerpt: "At this point, we don't know a whole lot about our suspect," Savage police captain David Meulkin told CBS News Early Show co-anchor Harry Smith. "We have had some minor juvenile contacts with him, nothing serious, and certainly nothing violent and nothing that would indicate this."

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/...n3431322.shtml

[Jo_Momma_82]

Originally Posted by Joe Public

The internet is getting more and more dangerous. My daughter was solicited for sex while she was in the chat room on Nick.com. My mother didn't think that allowing her to talk to other "kids" hurt anything. My daughter is 7 years old. I didn't find out until after my daughter ask if "dick" was a name or not. When I asked where she had see that word she said in the chat room at Nick.com.

When I dropped her off at her mother's I told her what happened and I contacted the sheriff's department. I worked with the computer crimes detective and he traced the account to an email and the email to an IP address. He then got a search warrant for the computer and found more than 300 pictures of children engaged in sex acts.

And here is the kicker, the guy lived 6 miles from my home. I only wish I could get my hands on that guy. Because that conversation with my daughter shouldn't have needed to be had for at least a couple years. I now have all the chat rooms on the sites she is allowed on for fun and school blocked on her computer profile. I'm the admin on the computer so I can limit what she is exposed to now. As much as humanly possible now anyway.

It makes you sick.

Thanks for sharing this and I'm so sorry that your daughter was exposed too this .... my daughter goes too barbie.com and has been wanting to go to the chatroom there. I was a little unsure about it but, at the same time I thought that it must be alot more secure (being a kids chatroom). Your story has actually helped me make my decision, THANKYOU !

[Joe Public]

Originally Posted by Jo_Momma_82

Thanks for sharing this and I'm so sorry that your daughter was exposed too this .... my daughter goes too barbie.com and has been wanting to go to the chatroom there. I was a little unsure about it but, at the same time I thought that it must be alot more secure (being a kids chatroom). Your story has actually helped me make my decision, THANKYOU !

I must say that the website was wonderful in helping with this. They do not want that kind of stuff going on there anymore than we do. And it may not be that much more secure but they do make it easier to trace to the source. Anyone can find a way around safeguards, I'm just glad that it was headed off at the pass!!

[Joe Public]

Originally Posted by odette

Savage Man Charged in Minnesota Craigslist Murder

Woman murdered after answering Craigslist babysitting post

myfoxtwincities.com - 30 Oct 2007

SAVAGE, Minn. -- A 19-year-old Savage man has been charged with second-degree murder in the death of a woman looking for a babysitting job on Craigslist in Minnesota. According to the criminal complaint, Michael Anderson, allegedly shot and killed 24-year-old Katherine Ann Olson. Police say blood was found in Anderson’s home and a gun was found in his bedroom. — continued: »

http://www.myfoxtwincities.com/myfox...Y&pageId=1.1.1

Michael Anderson

This kid still looks wet behind the ears. If he tried to hurt or rob me I'd bend him over my knee and whip his ***** and then send him home to moma. Looks can really be deceiving.

[odette]

twincities.com - SLIDESHOW

Friends, Relatives Say Goodbye To Katherine Ann Olson

About 1,600 people fill Christ Presbyterian Church in Edina, brightly lit by autumn afternoon sunshine, for her funeral.

http://photo.twincities.com/index.ph...ine-ann-olson/

[odette]

Olson rememberd as 'the girl that looked like sunshine'

swcbulletin.com - Jon Avise - October 31, 2007

She was the girl that “looked like sunshine,” and more than 1,600 gathered Wednesday afternoon to bask in her glow and celebrate the life of 24-year-old Katherine Ann Olson, killed last week in Savage when she answered an online nanny ad. — continued: »

http://www.swcbulletin.com/articles/...58009144132213

[odette]

Friends, relatives say goodbye to Katherine Ann Olson

twincities.com - RICHARD CHIN - 10/31/2007

Friends and relatives of Katherine Ann Olson said goodbye today to "the girl that looked like sunshine" who was taken from them by an act of evil.

Olson is the 24-year-old Minneapolis woman who police say was killed last week by Michael John Anderson, a 19-year-old Savage man, after he posed as someone seeking a nanny on craigslist.org.

On the anniversary of Olson's confirmation, about 1,600 people filled the sanctuary of Christ Presbyterian Church in Edina, brightly lit by autumn afternoon sunshine, for her funeral. Many stood when all the seats were taken.

The service was full of references to light, including a gospel reading from John 1:5: "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it." — continued: »

http://www.twincities.com/allheadlin...nclick_check=1

[odette]

1,600 mourners gather at Katherine Ann Olson's funeral

An overflow crowd comes together in an Edina church to remember the slain 24-year-old Minneapolis woman as a daughter, a sister and a friend who brightened the lives of so many.

twincities.com - RICHARD CHIN - 11/01/2007

Friends and relatives of Katherine Ann Olson said goodbye Wednesday to "the girl that looked like sunshine" who was taken from them by an act of evil.

Olson was the 24-year-old Minneapolis woman who police say was killed last week by Michael John Anderson, a 19-year-old Savage man, after he posed as someone seeking a baby sitter on the craigslist Web site.

On the anniversary of Olson's confirmation, about 1,600 people filled the sanctuary of Christ Presbyterian Church in Edina, brightly lit by autumn afternoon sunshine, for her funeral. Many stood after all the seats were taken. — continued: »

http://www.twincities.com/allheadlines/ci_7335496

[odette]

Hundreds attend funeral for woman answering Craigslist ad

kare11.com - 10/31/2007

» Watch Greg Vandegrift's Report

To the people who loved her, Katherine Ann Olson was "the girl who looked like sunshine" -- a funny, high-spirited 24-year-old who loved to perform and needed just a few moments to make a good impression on people. — continued: »

http://www.kare11.com/news/news_arti...storyid=268638

[odette]

Craigslist killings: Police say suspect Michael John Anderson left a trail of evidence

twincities.com - JOHN BREWER and ELIZABETH MOHR - 10/31/2007

He left behind a gun, blood splatters and an e-trail, authorities say, and now they've charged Michael John Anderson with second-degree murder. — continued: »

Excerpt: During Anderson's bail hearing Tuesday in the basement of the Scott County Law EnforcementCenter, Anderson sat stone-faced as the judge set bail at $1 million.

In a jailhouse interview with the Pioneer Press, Anderson was mum on most questions: Did he kill Olson? What will he plea? What do his parents think?

He did say he had never been arrested before, jail was OK and he and his attorneys needed to look over the details of the criminal complaint before saying anything else.

» Craigslist killings
http://www.twincities.com/localnews/ci_7325794

[odette]

UPDATE: Craigslist murder captivates world

savagepacer.com - Nancy Huddleston - November 2, 2007

What motivates someone to place a Craigslist web ad for babysitting and kill a person?

“This is something way more sinister than anyone could imagine,” said Capt. Dave Muelken of the Savage Police Department. “This is an extremely unusual case, and no one had ever heard of this until last week.”

And up until last weekend, the world had not heard of Michael John Anderson, either. Now the 19-year-old of Savage sits in the Scott County Jail accused of the Craigslist murder of 24-year-old Katherine Ann Olson in his parents’ home at 12649 Kipling Ave. in downtown Savage.

“Now because of the nature of this case – something posted on the Internet on a bulletin board ad – this has gained international attention. This one won’t be forgotten,” Muelken said.

“Katherine Ann Olson’s death won’t go unnoticed,” he continued. “She will have impacted everyone in the modern world. And a component of that will be that there will be a lot more awareness of Internet safety.”

The case

Olson’s case has gained worldwide attention in the last week, and it’s not over yet. — continued: »

http://www.savagepacer.com/node/4956

[odette]

Investigation continues in Savage murder case

Michael John Anderson, 19, of Savage, has been charged with second-degree murder in Minneapolis woman’s shooting death

thisweek-online.com - Brooke M. Walsh - 11/2/07

Savage police continue to investigate the Oct. 25 murder of Katherine Ann Olson, 24, of Minneapolis, and are asking citizens to contact them with any information regarding the case.

“If anyone saw or heard anything we want to know. No matter how insignificant a thing. Give us a call,” Savage Police Capt. Dave Muelken said.

Michael John Anderson, 19, of Savage, has been charged with second-degree murder in the shooting death and is being held in Scott County Jail on $1 million bail.

Scott County Attorney Pat Cileberto said he currently has probable cause to charge Anderson with second-degree murder. After he receives the final autopsy and forensics and ballistics reports he will reconsider the charges.

In Minnesota, no one can be charged with first-degree murder without a grand jury convening to review evidence.

“A lot of what is going on (right now) is the forensic examinations on different pieces of evidence,” Muelken said. “That process is slow and time-consuming, and it is not what the media portrays it as on shows like ‘CSI.’ ” — continued: »

http://www.thisweek-online.com/2007/...der-11.03.html

[odette]

Police grieve with Olson's family

savagepacer.com - Nancy Huddleston, Editor - November 2, 2007

The family of Katherine Ann Olson has given the Savage Police Department three pictures of their daughter in remembrance of her. One of those sits in a prominent location on Capt. Dave Muelken’s desk.

“It will stay there until the day I retire,” he says with reverence.

The picture serves as a reminder to all police officers of what they do every day, which is to protect and serve.

Muelken has been front and center since last weekend, fielding questions about the case involving the Craigslist murder. Twenty-four year old Katherine Olson was murdered and the man suspected of the crime, Michael John Anderson, 19, of Savage, is in custody.

But the Savage Police Department’s job is not done.

Muelken said everyone in the police department -- from the chief, through the detectives, to the officers and to the administrative staff – have been stretched beyond the norm. “This case has had a tremendous impact in a number of ways,” he said. — continued: »

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