We Remember 2024
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.
Sandra Wilson Goertz
Age 81
Lake Benton
January 4, 2024
Sandra Wilson Goertz, 81, was shot and killed by her husband, Irwin Goertz, 80, in their Lake Benton home on January 4. Irwin shot Sandra multiple times before killing himself.
Paul Elmstrand, Matthew Ruge, and Adam Finseth
Ages 27, 27, 40
Burnsville
February 18, 2024
Paul Elmstrand and Matthew Ruge, both 27, and Adam Finseth, 40, were shot and killed in Burnsville by Shannon Gooden, 38, while responding to a 911 call "regarding an alleged sexual assault allegation," on the morning of February 18. When officers arrived, Gooden barricaded himself in a bedroom and refused to come out. After a period of attempted negotiation failed, Gooden began shooting and exchanged gunfire with police. During this exchange, Gooden shot and killed Paul Elmstrand and Matthew Ruge, and nonfatally shot another officer. Adam Finseth was killed while attempting lifesaving measures on one of the officers. Gooden then shot and killed himself. Gooden had a history of intimate partner violence and abuse. Two women who had children with Gooden filed for orders for protection against him, one in 2017, and another in 2020. In the 2017 petition, the woman stated Gooden headbutted her, causing a concussion and black eyes, and threw her down the stairs. She also said he had a history of being “emotionally and physically abusive from the very beginning," and the police were called to their residence on multiple occasions. The petition for this order was dismissed when the woman did not appear for a court hearing. The woman who filed the 2020 order for protection said Gooden caused her to fall down stairs while he cut her clothes with a knife. She also said she believed Gooden would kill her. The judge in that case dismissed the petition due to a "lack of proof" of abuse. After a 2007 conviction for assault, Gooden was prohibited to possess firearms for life. He petitioned the court in 2020 to rescind this restriction, but was denied. Seven of Gooden's children, along with his current partner, were in the Burnsville home when he shot and killed Paul Elmstrand, Matthew Ruge, and Adam Finseth. Some of the children witnessed Gooden kill himself. Adam Finseth and Paul Elmstrand each leave behind two minor children.
David Joseph Nanovic
Age 45
Credit River
March 4, 2024
David Joseph Nanovic, 45, was shot and killed in his girlfriend’s home in Credit River on March 4, 2024. His girlfriend Jennifer Lieber, 45, is charged with second degree murder. On the night of March 4th police were called to Lieber’s home by her ex-husband for a welfare check, where they encountered Lieber, with Lieber stating that she had “really f##ked up.” Deputies then found David’s body in the home. David’s minor son stated that he, Lieber, and David were watching TV when Lieber, who had been drinking all night, “became very agitated” and grabbed a handgun, which she pointed at them throughout the night while threatening to kill them and calling David racial slurs. David and his son later left the main house to go to the pool house. Lieber’s two minor children, who were present for part of the night, then told David that Lieber was “acting crazy.” While attempting to return to the main house, David approached with his hands up and his son reported this was the last time he saw his father before police found his body. The medical examiner determined David died of a gunshot wound to the forehead. David and his son had been living in Lieber’s home since 2022 and at some point David and Lieber had begun a romantic relationship. The son reported that living in Lieber’s home was like “living in hell” and that Lieber had a history of physically and verbally abusing David. David Joseph Nanovic is survived by his minor son.
Allisa Marie Vollan
Age 27
Duluth
March 22, 2024
Allisa Marie Vollan, 27, was killed in her boyfriend’s home in Duluth on March 22, 2024. Her boyfriend Dale Howard, 25, is charged with two counts of second-degree murder, with one count citing his violation of a then-active no contact order. Further analysis regarding Allisa’s cause of death is pending, although a preliminary report indicates that her injuries are potentially consistent with smothering. Howard had previously been arrested and charged with domestic assault on March 9th after a neighbor reported him kicking Allisa in the head and slamming her head in the door. Allisa told officers on scene that day that Howard demonstrated jealousy over her past relationships, had previously been violent with her and had called her gendered slurs, and had previously threatened her about a dozen times. On March 12th a Domestic Abuse No Contact Order was issued, prohibiting Howard from having contact with Allisa. They had been dating for five months.
Allisa’s family stated that she grew up in Duluth and graduated from Denfeld High School. Her family shared that she had “an abundance of great friends that stuck with her through life. She always looked forward to her next adventures and the new friends she could meet. She’s loved and remembered by all of her family and friends.”
