We Remember 2021
We Remember is a memorial to Minnesota’s victims of intimate partner homicide. Each of these victims is someone’s child, parent, sibling, family member, intimate partner, friend, neighbor, or co-worker.
D’Zondria Deanternette Wallace
Age 30
La’Porsha Nashay Wallace
Age 14
Ja’Corbie Rashad Wallace
Age 11
St. Paul
January 30, 2021
TeKeith Jones, 26, shot and killed his ex-girlfriend D’Zondria Deanternette Wallace, 30, her 14 year-old daughter, La’Porsha Nashay, and her 11 year-old son, Ja’Corbie Rashad, in their St. Paul home on January 30. Prior to the shooing, one of D’Zondria’s relatives called police and requested a welfare check. Police arrived around an hour before the murders and spoke to directly to D’Zondria, who told officers she was "OK." Family members arrived at the home, and found D’Zondria and La’Porsha dead. Ja’Corbie was still alive and told police that “Keith” had shot them. Ja’Corbie later died from his wounds at a hospital.
D’Zondria was trying to leave her relationship with Jones due to his abusive behavior. In the past, friends witnessed Jones threatening D’Zondria’s life and family members said Jones would often show up at D’Zondria’s home unannounced. In December, Jones broke into D’Zondria's home through a window and assaulted her. The following morning, he fired his gun at D’Zondria. That same month, D’Zondria told a friend that she was pregnant. While in custody, TeKeith Jones
told police he killed La’Porsha and Ja’Corbie because their mother was “playing mind games and corrupting the kids.” He is charged with three counts of second-degree murder.
Jimmy Todd Wilemon
Age 58
Mahtomedi
February 1, 2021
Jimmy Todd Wilemon, 58, was shot and killed by David Peterson, 49, at their workplace in Mahtomedi on February 1. Jimmy was in a relationship with Peterson’s wife, moved to Blaine from Mississippi last year to be closer to her and worked at the trucking company she co-owned with Peterson. On the morning of February 1, Jimmy was filling his truck with gas at a station located on the trucking company property when Peterson shot him in the back of the head. Peterson then shot himself and committed suicide. Peterson’s wife filed for divorce on January 26. Jimmy Todd Wilemon leaves behind two daughters, and three stepchildren.
Jeanine Greyblood
Age 37
Little Falls
February 7, 2021
Jeanine Greyblood, 37, was strangled and killed by her husband Jonathan Greyblood, 30, in Little Falls, on or about February 7. Jeanine and Jonathan were last seen together at a friend's house on February 6, involved in an argument as they left. Jonathan returned to the friend's house in the early morning hours of February 7, with scratches on his face. He claimed Jeanine attacked him and then asked him to drop her off at a park, even though she had no coat or purse. Shortly afterward, Jonathan said he went back to the park, but could not find Jeanine. She was reported missing, but police found her body on the afternoon of February 7, under an overpass in Little Falls. Jonathan later admitted to strangling Jeanine to death, and was charged with two counts of 2nd-degree murder. Jeanine Greyblood leaves behind five children.
Lacy Jo Marie Krube
Age 36
St. Paul
February 21, 2021
Lacy Jo Marie Krube, 36, was found dead on February 21 in her St. Paul home. Following a call of an overdose to Lacy's home on February 21, police officers determined that Lacy had been severely beaten by her boyfriend, Timothy Heller, 42, in Brooklyn Park the night before. A medical examiner found the injuries sustained resulted in her death, and was ruled a homicide. Timothy Heller was arrested on February 23, but has yet to be charged.
Regina Theresa Hughes
Age 46
Rockford
March 19, 2021
Regina Theresa Hughes, 46, was shot and killed by her boyfriend, Christopher Powers, 47, who then killed himself, in their Rockford home on March 19. Police responded to a call about a car running in the driveway of the home and found the two bodies inside when they arrived.
Bao Yang
Age 39
St. Paul
March 20, 2021
On Saturday morning, Bao Yang, 39, was shot and killed by her ex- boyfriend, Doua Por Lao, 39, outside of her St. Paul home. Neighbors reported to police they heard two gunshots before seeing the bodies of Lao and Bao outside her home. When officers arrived, the Lao was pronounced dead at the scene, and Bao was taken to a hospital where she died from her injuries. It is believed Lao killed her before he shot and killed himself. Bao Yang leaves behind one minor and one adult child.
Nikkiyia Swantay Robinson
Age 38
Minneapolis
April 7, 2021
Nikkiyia Swantay Robinson, 38, was stabbed and killed by Jerome Woodland, 53, in her Minneapolis home on April 7. First responders answered a call for medical assistance at Nikkiyia’s home, and found her dead when they arrived. According to her family, Nikkiyia had dated Woodland "on-and-off" for a couple of years. Police are still trying to locate Jerome Woodland. Nikkiyia Swantay Robinson leaves behind four children, three of whom are minors.
Kristen Ann Bicking
Age 32
Virginia
May 12, 2021
Kristen Ann Bicking, 32, was stabbed and killed by her ex-boyfriend, Derek Malevich, 40, in his Virginia apartment on May 12. Malevich claimed he entered his apartment, saw two intruders, and grabbed a knife before stabbing one of them. Police found no evidence of these claims and upon arrival located Kristen on Malevich's couch with multiple stab wounds. She was pronounced dead at nearby hospital shortly afterward. Malevich was set to plead guilty on May 17 for assaulting Kristen in September 2020. During that incident, Malevich threw Kristen against a wall, punched her several times, and threatened to kill her while choking her. Subsequently, a restraining order and a domestic abuse no contact were both filed against him. Derek Malevich was charged with second-degree intentional murder of Kristen Ann Bicking.
Kelly Jo Marie Kocurek
Age 36
Hastings
May 23, 2021
Kelly Jo Marie Kocurek, 36, was strangled by her boyfriend, Kyle Steven Williams, 32, in Hastings and died on May 23. She was last seen by her mother on May 18, at a Hastings hotel where she was staying with Williams while she waited entry into treatment for addiction. Shortly after Kelly's mother left the hotel that day, she received a call from Williams stating Kelly was not breathing. Williams then called 911, and when police arrived they found Kelly unresponsive with blood, bruises, and swelling on her face, and markings on her neck. Several cut cords were also found next to her body. Williams told officers Kelly strangled herself, but the medical examiner determined her death to be homicide from strangulation. A hotel worker said he heard loud noises coming from Kelly's room that day, and what sounded like fighting. The worker then heard a man yelling "Kelly!" before Williams exited the room with blood on him. Kelly was taken to a hospital in St. Paul and, according to her mother, had a broken nose, black eye, bruising to her mouth, and what appeared to be stab wounds. Kelly spent five days in the hospital before she died on May 23. A few weeks prior to her death, Kelly's mother picked her up after she was beaten by her Williams. Her mother believed Williams was dangerous and did not want him at the hotel where Kelly was staying. Williams has multiple domestic abuse charges in his past. While there were no initial charges for Kelly's death, Kyle Steven Williams was eventually arrested in Arizona on August 26 and charged with second-degree murder. Kelly Jo Marie Kocurek is survived by her two daughters.
Nada Rene Monique Fronk
Age 24
Brooklyn Park
May 26, 2021
Nada Rene Monique Fronk, Aakwaadizi Nishkaadizshkiwn ikwe, 24, was shot and killed by her boyfriend, Cordell Page Jr., 23, on May 26, in Brooklyn Park. Page killed himself after shooting Nada multiple times. Police were called to an apartment building for reports of gunshots, and upon arrival, they found the apartment door barricaded shut. Once officers were able to eventually enter the apartment, they found the bodies of Nada and Page. In 2017, Cordell Page Jr. was charged for domestic assault and violation of a domestic abuse no contact order (DANCO).
Lauri Anne Deatherage
Age 48
Robbinsdale
June 18, 2021
Lauri Anne Deatherage, 48, was shot and killed by her ex-husband, Robert McCloud, 64, inside her Robbinsdale home on June 18. Police responded to welfare check at the house on the morning of June 18, and found Lauri's body. Robert was then located at his Brooklyn Center home where he engaged in a 10-hour standoff with police until surrendering. Lauri, who was classified as a medically retired disabled veteran, had gotten married on June 13, days before she was killed.
Cortney Grace Henry
Age 29
Lakeville
June 22, 2021
Cortney Grace Henry, 29, was shot and killed by her ex-boyfriend, Atravius Weeks, 32, outside of a Lakeville daycare on June 22. An ex-girlfriend of Weeks called 911 early on the morning of June 22, to report Weeks violating an Order for Protection and pounding on the walls outside of her Belle Plaine apartment. She told 911 dispatchers that Weeks had a gun and she feared he would kill her if he entered the apartment. When officers arrived, they learned that Weeks fled on foot, and located his vehicle with a spent bullet casing and blood inside. Police were eventually able to contact Weeks by phone, and he agreed to return to the apartment complex. When he arrived, he was covered in blood and told officers he killed Cortney outside of a Lakeville daycare facility after shooting her seven times. Cortney had ended her relationship with Weeks on June 16, just days before he shot and killed her. Atravius Weeks is charged with second-degree murder. Cortney Grace Henry leaves behind three minor children.
Shavon Phillips
Age 42
Woodbury
June 25, 2021
Shavon Phillips, 42, was stabbed and killed by her husband, McKinley Phillips, 39, in their Woodbury home on June 25. McKinley beat and stabbed Shavon in the basement while her six children watched a movie upstairs. McKinley then took a bus and fled the state, planning to go to Chicago and then on to New York. He was eventually located and arrested in Wisconsin on June 26, wearing clothing covered in blood. He later told police he killed Shavon because he believed she was cheating on him. Officers had been called to the Woodbury home
three times over the last two months for domestic-related incidents.
Lissette Reinbold
Age 34
Oklee
July 9, 2021
Lissette Reinbold was stabbed and killed by her husband, Eric Reinbold, 44, on July 9, in Oklee. Police and US Marshals are currently searching for Eric as a federal warrant has been issued for his arrest. In 2016, Eric pled guilty for an incident the year prior where he repeatedly rammed his truck into a car that had Lissette and their children inside. In 2018, a federal grand jury found Eric guilty of possessing pipe bombs. During a search of his cabin at that time, police found manuals on how to make pipe bombs and a notebook on how to "start the second American Revolution and Win." He was sentenced to five years in prison for this, but was granted a "compassionate care" release in March of
this year. Lissette Reinbold leaves behind her four minor children.
Amanda Schroeder
Age 32
Faribault
July 19, 2021
Amanda Schroeder, 32, was shot and killed by her boyfriend, Brandon Akermark, 27, in her Faribault home on July 19. Akermark then shot and killed himself. Amanda called 911 the night she was killed to report that Akermark was drinking, throwing things inside the home, and that she was unable to leave. She told the 911 dispatcher that Akermark had two guns inside the home, and that he might fight or flee when police arrived. The dispatcher then heard Amanda scream and was disconnected with the call. Multiple calls back to the residence were attempted with no answer. When police arrived to the home, they found Amanda and Akermark's bodies, and both were declared dead at the scene. Amanda was shot multiple times, and Akermark had a self inflicted gunshot wound.
America Mafalda Thayer
Age 55
Shakopee
July 28, 2021
America Mafalda Thayer, 55, was killed by her boyfriend, Alexis Saborit, 42, in Shakopee on July 28. Saborit stabbed and decapitated America on the afternoon of the 28th. Police were called to an intersection in Shakopee where they found America's body. Witnesses reportedly took videos of the incident which were posted to social media for a short time before they were removed. Saborit was quickly apprehended and told police America had "gone too far," when she tried to break up with him earlier that day. He has a history of abusing America and was convicted of gross misdemeanor domestic assault in 2017. America Mafalda Thayer moved to Minnesota from Cuba and leaves behind a son.
TyEsha Gills
Age 20
Austin
July 31, 2021
TyEsha Gills, 20, was shot and killed in Austin on July 31, 2021. Me’darian Mcgruder was convicted of second-degree murder in February 2024 for killing TyEsha. The two had begun dating several weeks before he killed her. Officers were called the morning of July 31, 2021 to the home TyEsha shared with a family member, where they found her dead of a gunshot wound to the chest. The family member stated that while they, TyEsha, and Mcgruder were hanging out in the home, Mcgruder had twice threatened to shoot TyEsha before doing so, at one point also getting out his gun and chambering it. Mcgruder has a documented history of domestic violence against a previous partner and was prohibited from possessing a firearm when he killed TyEsha.
TyEsha’s family stated that she had been “on a road to building her own business in the hair salon industry.”
Amanda Jo Vangrinsven
Age 32
Isanti County
August 5, 2021
Amanda Jo Vangrinsven, 32, was shot and killed by Richard Peterson, 37, on or about August 5, in Isanti County. On the evening of August 5, Amanda and Peterson were seen at two different bars displaying "affectionate behavior" and holding hands. Peterson offered to drive Amanda home but her cell phone location data indicated he took her to his home instead. According to bar staff and surveillance footage, the two became noticeably less friendly and affectionate before they left. Amanda was not seen after she left with Peterson, who is married. After Peterson was last seen with Amanda on August 5, his wife stated he came home upset and pointed a gun at his head and threatened to harm himself. The following day, Peterson's wife saw him using a tractor to dig holes and push dirt around on their property. That same day, he also gave two of his guns to a friend, both of which had barrels that matched the bullet used to kill Amanda. After multiple search warrants were issued, Amanda's remains were found on Peterson’s
property on August 10. Richard Peterson is charged with second-degree murder.
Eric Allan Gaulke
Age 43
Winona
September 15, 2021
Eric Allan Gaulke, 43, was stabbed by Sean Emmons, 38, in Winona on September 11, and died from his injuries on September 15. Emmons broke into Eric's apartment on the 11th, and saw Eric in bed with Emmons' girlfriend. Emmons punched Eric in the face to wake him up before the two began fighting. During this fight, Emmons stabbed Eric in the leg and eventually, Eric was able to force Emmons out of his home. Eric's friends urged him to contact law enforcement after the stabbing, but he stated he was too scared to do so. Friends attempted to tend to the wound over the next two days, but Eric's condition grew worse and he was hospitalized on September 13. Sean Emmons is charged with second-degree assault and second-degree murder of Eric Allan Gaulke.
Samantha Samih Farah
Age 24
Bloomington
September 27, 2021
Samantha Samih Farah, 24, was stabbed and killed by her boyfriend Nasri Abdilahi, 23, in their Bloomington apartment on September 27. Neighbors reported hearing a woman screaming that night, and a witness later saw Abdilahi dragging Samantha's body to a dumpster. When police arrived at the scene, they found Samantha's body in the dumpster with signs of "significant trauma." They followed a trail of blood from the dumpster to the apartment Samantha shared with Abdilahi, where a knife was discovered in a pool of blood. Officers then witnessed Abdilahi flee in his car before leading them on a chase for five miles. When Abdilahi was appended, he was covered in blood and the one-year-old child he shared with Samantha was found in the vehicle. Family members of Abdilahi told police that he suffered from "mental health issues." According to Samantha's family, she moved to Minnesota last year from Michigan with her daughter to be closer to Abdilahi. Samantha Samih Farah leaves behind her one-year-old daughter. Nasri Abdilahi is charged with second-degree murder and fleeing police in a motor vehicle.
Caitlin Kelley Aldridge
Age 41
St. Paul
September 28, 2021
Caitlin Kelley Aldridge, 41, was shot and killed by her husband, Johnny Aldridge, 46, in their St. Paul home on September 28. Johnny called 911 early that morning from the parking lot of the Ramsey County Law Enforcement Center and turned himself in for shooting Caitlin. When officers arrived to the home, they found Caitlin dead and Johnny's 13-year-old daughter, who had slept through the shooting. Johnny, who has PTSD, told police he believed people were trying to harm his daughter. In July, Johnny called 911 twice in the same day. In one instance, the operator indicated he was possibly a "person in crisis," also known as someone having a mental health emergency. Johnny Aldridge is charged with second-degree murder. Caitlin leaves behind one daughter.
Bethany Anne Bernatsky
Age 46
Nisswa
October 7, 2021
Bethany Anne Bernatsky, 46, was shot and killed by Cameron Moser, 29, near Nisswa on October 7. That night, police responded to 911 calls of several gunshots near a cabin at the Cozy Bay Resort. When they arrived, officers located Moser, who was carrying a rifle and a handgun, and negotiated with him for around 90 minutes before he was apprehended unharmed. Moser used to date the daughter of the resort's previous owners and was seen nearby the week before asking about her. The woman's family say that Moser intended to kill his ex-girlfriend that night. Cameron Moser is charged with the second-degree murder of Bethany Anne Bernatsky.
Marquisha Doris Wiley
Age 26
St. Paul
October 10, 2021
Marquisha "Kiki" Doris Wiley, 26, was shot and killed in St. Paul on October 10. Marquisha was at the Seventh Street Truck Park bar shortly after midnight, when Devondre Phillips, 29, and Terry Brown, 33, began shooting at each other. Brown was recently accused of assaulting his girlfriend, a relative of Phillips. When Phillips arrived to the St. Paul bar, he shot a man who was with Brown, and then shot at Brown. The other man and Brown returned gunfire, hitting and killing Marquisha. Fourteen other people were injured during the shooting in the crowded bar. Brown and Phillips both remain in the hospital from gunshot wounds. Devondre Phillips is charged with 12 counts of second-degree attempted murder, and Terry Brown with 11 counts of attempted murderand one count of second-degree murder.
.png)
Samantha Rose Columbus-Boshey
Age 29
Eden Prairie
November 2, 2021
Samantha "Sosa" Rose Columbus-Boshey, 29, was shot and killed by her husband, Ryan Rooney, 32, in their Eden Prairie hotel room on November 2. Samantha and Rooney, who got married in August, had an extended stay at the hotel, but were supposed to check out on October 31. Police performed a welfare check two days later and found Samantha's body, Rooney with a self-inflicted gunshot wound, and the Samantha's two young children in the room. Officers were called to the hotel a few weeks prior on reports of a man waving a gun around in the parking lot. Though the caller was anonymous, the phone number was traced back to Samantha. Rooney has three domestic assault convictions, at least three dismissals, and one conviction for felony violation of a Domestic Abuse No Contact Order (DANCO). He is charged with second-degree murder and child endangerment. Samantha Rose Columbus-Boshey leaves behind three young children.
Tracy Ellen Julian
Age 62
Kalevala Township
December 10, 2021
Tracy Ellen Julian, 62, was shot and killed by her husband, Raymond Julian, 65, in their Kalevala Township home on December 10. Police responded to the home on a welfare check after they were informed from someone who received an email from Raymond stating he planned to kill Tracy. When officers arrived, Raymond told them Tracy was in bed ill and that he would rather they not check on her. After further conversation, Raymond admitted to killing Tracy. Raymond then made statements about hurting himself and was taken to a hospital prior to being charged with second-degree murder.