We Remember 2016
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.
Kimberly Hernandez
Age: 48
Good Thunder
January 29, 2016
Kimberly Kay Hernandez, 48, was killed by her husband, Charles “Chuck” Hernandez, 60, at their home in Good Thunder on January 29. According to autopsy reports, Charles Hernandez strangled Kimberly before committing suicide by suffocation. Kimberly was serving the last of her term on the Good Thunder city council.
Trisha Nelson
Age 28
Plymouth
February 12, 2016
Trisha Nelson, 28, was shot and run over with a car by her fiancé, 28 year-old Corey Perry, on February 12, in Plymouth. The Medical Examiner ruled that Trisha died from complex homicidal violence, including gunshot wounds. According to witnesses who were present at the scene of the homicide, Trisha exited a large vehicle and pleaded with occupants of a car for help as Perry chased her and fired as many as 20 shots in her direction. He then ran her over at a high speed. Perry fled to the apartment he shared with Trisha, a few miles away. Several people called the police from the apartment complex to report a man with a gun. When police arrived, gunshots were exchanged. Corey Perry was shot but autopsy showed he died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. He was wearing tactical gear and was in possession of multiple weapons at the time of his death. While Perry did not have any documented history of abuse against Trisha, family and friends say he was abusive to her and his behavior had escalated in the last year. Corey Perry also had a history of public violence, including use of his firearm, and was on felony probation at the time of the murder-suicide.
Tanya Skinaway
Age 23
Isle
March 2, 2016
Tanya Skinaway, 23, was killed by her abusive boyfriend, William Sayers Jr., 33, in a hit-and-run in Isle. Tanya’s body was found on the side of the road early in the morning of March 2nd. According to reports from the medical examiner, Tanya was killed due to blunt force trauma, including “a large wound to the outside of her left knee and multiple small fragments of what appeared to be gray or silver paint within the wound.” William Sayers has an extensive documented history of domestic violence, including several felony domestic assault charges and violations of protective orders. In 2012, Sayers was convicted of gross misdemeanor Criminal Vehicular Homicide, as well as gross misdemeanor DWI, for which he served 120 days in local jail and received a supervised probation sentence. He was convicted of criminal vehicular homicide in Tanya’s death and sentenced to 93 months in prison, minus credit for time served of 246 days, and a $50 fine. Tanya and Sayers had a two month-old daughter together. She also leaves behind a minor son.
Courtney Monson
Age 28
Ramsey
April 22, 2016
Courtney Monson was shot and killed by her husband, 41 year-old Bryce Monson, with a semiautomatic firearm. Bryce subsequently committed suicide in their house on April 22. Law enforcement responded to a 911 call in which dispatchers could hear screaming and crying. Officials say that a “violent confrontation” took place during which Courtney sought safety in a room in the home’s basement with three of her four minor children before Bryce shot and killed her. All four of Courtney’s minor children, including two she had with Bryce, were present in the home at the time of the murder-suicide. Her older sons, aged 12 and 9, convinced Bryce to not kill the children or their dog. Friends say Bryce Monson had a history of abusing Courtney, who was attempting to leave the relationship and was in fear for her life.
Barbara Wilson
Age 54
Mankato
April 26, 2016
Barbara Wilson, 54, was shot and killed by her husband Delbert Wilson, 56, on April 26 in their Mankato home. Delbert subsequently committed suicide. According to news reports, the couple had been married for less than a year. Delbert had a documented history of domestic violence but not against Barbara. He had a conviction of 5th degree assault in 1993 and had been charged with violating an order for protection in 1993 as well. Barbara was in the process of leaving Delbert and had arranged for a family member to pick her up the day after she was killed. The day before her homicide, Delbert had pointed a shotgun at her head, and then under his own chin. This incident was reported to family members but not the police. The day of the murder, Delbert called Barbara’s daughter and said, “You don't need to come to the house tomorrow to get your mother, you can get her at the morgue.” Family requested a welfare check and law enforcement found the bodies in the back room of the house. A semiautomatic handgun was found near the bodies and several spent and unspent semiautomatic cartridges were found throughout the home. Police also recovered other firearms and ammunition from the house.
Tasha Lynn Hanson
Age 24
Lewiston
May 12, 2016
Kyle Benjamin Allers, 23, killed his girlfriend, Tasha Lynn Hanson, 24, on or around May 12, in Winona County. According to the medical examiner, Kyle Allers strangled and beat Tasha to death. Authorities were contacted by a family member of Allers’ who stated that he had shared that Tasha was “gone forever” and requested help to dispose of her body. Tasha and Allers had two young children together, a 3 year-old son and a 1 year-old daughter. The criminal complaint against Kyle Allers states that he has prior convictions of domestic assault and disorderly conduct stemming from abusive conduct against Tasha in 2011 and 2013. In the 2011 incident, Tasha had called the police after Allers had strangled, assaulted, threatened to kill, and falsely imprisoned her. She reported to police that Allers had told her he “should have tied her up and thrown her in the weeds.” She was made to take a breathalyzer test, was arrested and convicted of misdemeanor domestic assault, alongside Allers. On May 14, 2016, two days after Allers killed Tasha, law enforcement found her body in the woods.Kyle Allers pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and was sentenced to 30 years in prison.
Lyuba Savenok
Age 23
Eden Prairie
May 14, 2016
Lyuba Savenok, 23, was stabbed and killed by her husband of six years, Yevegniy “Eugene” Savenok, in Eden Prairie on May 14. According to media reports, Lyuba was 26 weeks pregnant and had two children, a 3 year-old and a 4 year-old, with Eugene. There were prior domestic violence calls made by Lyuba to law enforcement, one of which resulted in charges against Eugene in August 2015. He was to go to trial at the end of May 2016. At the time of the murder, Lyuba had an active protective order against Eugene. Yevegniy “Eugene” Savenok pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree murder and was sentenced to 65 years in prison for the murder of Lyuba.
Beverly Miller
Age 85
Woodbury
May 20, 2016
Beverly Miller, 85, was found dead in her bedroom of blunt force trauma to the head on May 20. According to law enforcement, her husband of 40 years, 72 year-old James Miller, caused the trauma and then hung himself in their Woodbury home. Police have confirmed this was a murder-suicide.
Ashley Hasti
Age 31
Brooklyn Park
June 2, 2016
Ashley Hasti, 31, was found dead on June 2nd in her Brooklyn Park home. Ashley was shot and killed by her estranged husband, Mainak Sarkar, 38, who then traveled to Los Angeles and killed a UCLA professor, William Klug. Mainak then committed suicide.
Melissa Norby
Age 35
Bemidji
June 22, 2016
Melissa Norby, 35, was found dead underneath a mattress with her hands and feet bound together in her burned home on June 22. An autopsy revealed that she died of homicidal violence before the blaze. Arson investigators with the State Fire Marshall's Office indicated an accelerant was used. Jacob Kinn, with whom Melissa had a relationship, was convicted and sentenced to 52 years in prison.
Elizabeth Thompson
Age 68
Manohmen
August 9, 2016
Elizabeth "Betty" Thompson, 68, and her husband Lynn Thompson, 72, were found dead at home in Manohmen County on August 9. Law enforcement responded to reports of shootings and found both of them dead. The deaths were ruled a murder-suicide. The medical examiner found that Elizabeth was strangled and Lynn died of a self inflicted gunshot wound. Elizabeth leaves behind 3 adult children.
Danielle Denney
Age 29
Hastings
August 15, 2016
On August 15, Danielle Aimee Denney, 29, was shot and killed by her boyfriend Justin Anderson, 34, in their Hastings home. Justin Anderson subsequently committed suicide.
Rebecca Drewlo
Age 34
Coon Rapids
August 18, 2016
Lucas Jablonski, 25, stabbed and killed Rebecca "Becky" Drewlo, 34, in her apartment on her birthday on August 18. According to court records, Rebecca had a developmental disability and was considered a vulnerable adult. In 2014, upon her family's request, a judge granted a Harassment Restraining Order (HRO) barring Jablonski from having any contact with Rebecca. In the petition for the HRO, her family noted that Jablonski had taken advantage of Rebecca and that she considered him her boyfriend. They also shared that Jablonski had threatened to harm Rebecca and himself if he was barred from seeing her. Lucas Jablonski was convicted of violating the restraining order twice in the last two years. In the weeks leading up to the murder, he was living with Rebecca at her apartment in Coon Rapids. An autopsy revealed bruises and signs of strangulation on Rebecca's body and confirmed that she died of stabbing. Lucas Jablonski was convicted of two counts of second-degree murder and sentenced to 439 months in prison.
Elisa Gomez
Age 47
Minneapolis
October 11, 2016
Elisa Gomez, 47, was found dead of ligature hanging on October 11, just hours after she married a man who has an extensive history of domestic violence. According to media reports, Elisa got married to a man in a sudden ceremony on October 10. At around 2 or 3 in the morning, one of her neighbors called the police because he heard some commotion and “the woman sounded very distraught.” Another 911 call brought officers back and they found Elisa Gomez dead. The man Elisa married was previously convicted of domestic assault, domestic assault by strangulation, and terroristic threats. According to court documents, in 2009, his former wife reported to police that he attempted to rape her and strangled her while stating he wanted to kill her. He has also been the subject of one protective order and two harassment restraining orders in the past. The manner of death in Elisa’s case is undetermined. As of summer 2019, this remains an open case at the Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s office and an open investigation with the Minneapolis Police Department.
Lynn Marie Josephson
Age 56
Apple Valley
November 3, 2016
On November 3, 56 year-old Lynn Marie Josephson was shot twice and killed by her 49 year-old husband Alan Lee Josephson who then fatally shot himself. Police officers found the bodies when they arrived to perform a welfare check at the Josephson’s Apple Valley home the next morning. Police confirmed this a murder-suicide.
Margaret Flath
Age 27
Wadena
November 7, 2016
Margaret Flath, 27, was shot and killed by her husband, Antonio St. Marie, 26, on November 7. Earlier that day, Antonio St. Marie was charged with felony domestic assault against Margaret. He bailed out of jail a few hours prior to the shooting. Upon his release, Antonio posted on social media that he was angry and followed that post with another asking if anyone wanted to “make a quick $500.” He then held Margaret, their three year old A.B., and Margaret’s brother hostage as he threatened them with a firearm. After a few hours, Margaret effectively pleaded with Antonio to let her brother leave with A.B. After she hugged her brother and child good-bye, Antonio shot and killed her. Antonio has a long documented history of domestic violence. In 2009, he directly and through social media, threatened to use a firearm to kill an ex-girlfriend’s family members. He was convicted of felony Terroristic Threats in that case. In 2011, Antonio threatened to kill another ex girlfriend, strangled her, and assaulted her and her family
members with a knife. He was convicted of felony Domestic Assault in that case. Besides the domestic violence related charges and convictions, Antonio also has an extensive criminal history. A DANCO (Domestic Abuse No Contact Order) was in effect at the time Antonio killed Margaret. Antonio St. Marie was convicted of seven counts including counts of first-degree murder and kidnapping. He was sentenced to life without the possibility of release for the murder of Margaret. She leaves behind three minor children.
Amy Allwine
Age 43
Cottage Grove
November 13, 2016
Amy Allwine, 43, was shot to death by her husband Stephen Allwine, 43, in Cottage Grove on November 13 who then staged Amy’s death as a suicide. Investigators were able to retrieve evidence that suggests he had been planning Amy’s murder for a few months and had attempted to recruit a hit-man through the Dark Web. An examination of Amy’s blood after she was killed showed a concentration of Scopolamine, 20 times what would be prescribed in a therapeutic dose. Scopolamine is known to erase memory, rendering a person incapable of exercising free will. Stephen Allwine was convicted of first-degree premeditated murder and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Barbara Larson
Age 59
Faribault
December 23, 2016
On December 23, Barbara Larson, 59, was shot and killed at her work place, the Faribault Area Chamber of Commerce, her workplace, by her ex-husband Richard Larson, 61. Richard then committed suicide. Barbara was married to Richard for several years and divorced him in 2014. She was recently granted a Harassment Restraining Order (HRO) against Richard, which was served on the week of the murder. Barbara informed the courts of physical abuse and repeated, escalating stalking by Richard. Barbara had worked at the Chamber of Commerce for over a decade and Richard was a retired police officer. Barbara leaves behind two adult children.
Luis Ronquillo
Age 13
Minneapolis
September 30, 2016
Nahily Ronquillo
Age 10
Minneapolis
September 30, 2016
Luis Ronquillo, 13, and his sister, Nahily Ronquillo, 10, were shot and killed by their father,
Luis Eduardo Ronquillo Alvarado, 39, in Minneapolis on September 30. Their mother was also shot and was transported to the hospital in critical condition and survived. Luis Eduardo Ronquillo Alvarado subsequently committed suicide.
Roberto Bernabe Cortez
Age 37
Minneapolis
October 24, 2016
On October 24, Roberto Bernabe Cortez, 37, died from injuries inflicted by Tristen Baier, 20. On October 22, Baier was in Minneapolis smashing his ex-girlfriend’s car windows when a witness intervened and tried to chase him away. Baier climbed into a van and tried to hit the witness, who jumped out of the way. His van collided with a parked vehicle, but Baier continued to drive away. At that time, Roberto and other bystanders came out of their residences to look at the damaged vehicle. Moments later, Baier returned in the van and drove at the group, critically injuring Roberto, who died from his injuries two days later. Tristen Baier told police that he was angry at his ex girlfriend, so he smashed her car windows with a bat. He said he was still angry when he was chased away, so he drove around the block and drove at Roberto. Tristen Baier pleaded guilty to second-degree unintentional murder and was sentenced to 128 months in prison.