"[what God did in Jesus to reconcile the broken relationship between God and humanity]. This was a blessing since the whole day was wrapped in resurrection thinking. I am fortunate to still have that mindset in the face of this crushing loss."
For every evil act in the world, God comes through. JMO. Prayers to her family and friends.
"No one is ever truly prepared for that."
This is so true.
What a creep. What a horrible, horrible, creep.
There's always a double edged sword to losing someone so young who has such deep insights into life. On one hand her family and friends can feel confident that she led a full life and had a solid grasp on where she was going when she left this world. Yet, on the other, there is that nagging sense of loss of what she would have offered to the world had she lived. I lost a friend like that in the Texas A&M Bonfire tragedy. I always wonder what could have been.
I'm so sorry this family has to go through this pain because of something so senseless, so purely evil. I'm sure her light will continue to shine in the lives she touched however, and that evil will not prevail.
Yet another beautiful young life taken at the hands of a young person. So senseless! She was so smart and intelligent for her young age, appears to have been a hard-working young woman (which is more than many young people can say), and for someone to prey upon her in such a way is mind-boggling ~ the net has become such a scary place on several levels! Yet another family grieving the loss of their bright, intelligent, and beautiful young daughter 
This murder's appearance is alarming to me, in that he actually could have been hanging out with my 16 yr. old son, his buddies, and totally fit in ~ I would not have questioned my son about who "that guy" is. One just never knows, unfortunately.
I am so sorry for this family!!! Under these circumstances, this could have been any family's child, but should never have happened in the first place. At least they believe in faith, which I hope carries them through this. I would feel so blessed, proud, and complete to have had a daughter like Katherine Ann Olson!
Emerson:
In re: "Emerson | 10.28.07 - 10:55 pm ~ "I lost a friend like that in the Texas A&M Bonfire tragedy. I always wonder what could have been."
I well remember reading about that, and am so sorry for your loss :'( Some friends are like family in my book, and I totally understand your comment, "I always wonder what could have been.", as I have often wondered the very same thing. I greatly appreciate you sharing that, as I have in the last couple of days shared more online than I ever have, or probably ever will (another thread, and sure you know what I am referring to).
I am sure your friend is around you, as you think and remember them as they think and remember you! My opinion, and my belief. As my dear friend told me on her last day here, "Always remember how lucky I am . . . that a friend is blessed to have had friends who love and care no matter what, and will forever keep me close to their hearts . . . I will be with you always." Thanks for sharing Emerson, and, once again, I am so sorry for your loss!
Hi Steve,
I really liked this entry all the way until it became about... MSM blaming craigslist.
I think that should be a topic for another blog entry, and you should only briefly point to it in this one.
Take care
The perp looks all of 16.
Man, what was in the water in the late 1980s?
Amazing that such an educated, worldly young woman could fall prey to a creep like this.
Somone like that getting stolen away so senselessly just makes me so ****ing angry...
Look at that stupid, chubby face of the kid. Idiot decided he wanted to know what it felt like to kill, I guess.
If I could ever in my lifetime run into that guy, I would literally beat him until my fists bled.
Sorry to be so filled with anger, but it breaks my heart that people lose their chance at having a happy and successful life because some freak decides he wants to kill.
I wonder if neighborhood pets or wildlife met unseemly ends where he lived while growing up, myself? I don't think he just woke up one day and thought "I wonder what killing a human feels like?" I think it was more of a progression, first he enjoyed (shudder) having helpless creatures in his power as he tormented and killed them, then he wondered what bigger prey, like humans would be like to torture.
Thanks Rocky for your kind words. And thanks for sharing the things about your life. Those types of details always help to better explain opinions and where people are coming from when they comment, which in turn brings about deeper meaning and more understanding to the people reading them.
I am so impressed by the strength, character, grace, and faith of this family. It's people like this that inspire others to be better human beings, as I'm sure their daughter did.
I am taking a guess that it will either emerge that this was a sexual assault turned deadly or exactly what Josh and Kat spoke of, someone who just wanted to follow through with a killing fantasy. In that case it reminds me of the Ashton Glover case. What gets me is that these freaks commit these crimes after having these deviant thoughts and planning the scenario sometimes quite intricately, yet they do a piss poor job of escaping detection. It's like they only read one part of the killer's handbook, the first part, and forgot the follow-up, (ie: don't get caught). This guy did a fairly detailed plan with using a nanny ad on Craigslist, yet used a traceable account and PC, and didn't even manage to hide the body and car very well. It boggles the mind, (the normal, non-killer, mind that is), how absolutely pointless this was.
Continued prayers for The Olsen's and friends of Katherine. I hope they do right by Katherine and throw the book at this BOY.
Hi KatK, I wonder the same about killers. However, on his dating profile he listed that he was "somewhat" of an animal lover and that he had a pet dog. Doesn't mean much I guess, but it's there. Not surprisingly, he answered "somewhat" to whether he was aggressive, and "no" to being compassionate.
Don't forget "somewhat" passive also. What a charmer he is. *facetious*
Nancy Grace profiled it on her show tonight.
One of her guests knows someone that works with him at the airport. Michael was learning how to refuel planes and had only been doing this a month or so. Co-worker said he was strange.
LE said they are charging 2nd degree murder tomorrow but they haven't finished investigating. I'm not familiar with MN's charging language but I took that to mean it could be changed to premediated murder later.
Katherine was a friend and former co-worker of mine. That punk that did this will never know what kind of great and gifted person he took away from us. I hope someone kills him while he is in jail... And I know that isn't what Katherine would wish upon him, but I am not Katherine and I want him to suffer for what he did.
Anonymous, I'm sorry for the loss of your friend, Katherine and I can fully understand why you feel the way you do.
To: Anonymous | 10.29.07 - 11:14 pm ~
I am so sorry for your loss! She sounds like someone that anyone would be proud to call a friend. No one deserves their life to end this way
I would not be disappointed if he were murdered in jail in the least, but on the other hand, that would be the easiest way out from facing a jury, and paying for his senseless crime! He needs to live uncomfortably, with people that are just plain evil (many worse than he), and remain there for life!!! I am no longer (under most circumstances) one for the death penalty, as they are awarded their own jail cell, are protected from prison society, and often times live long enough to actually die of natural causes, all while having their own quiet little protected space. Put this evil, disgusting, and calculating individual in prison to fend for himself ~ what a coward!!!
I understand your feelings, but his premature death would ultimately eliminate any suffering he rightfully deserves. In your shoes, and at this time, I also would want him dead!!!
Again, I am so sorry for your loss, and thank you for sharing! Best to you, and please be well.
To Diane and RockyMtnMom... Thank you for your comments. I feel a little differently today, not quite as mad as I was. I suppose him living a long life with the guilt of what he did would be worse than a premature death. Katherine and I weren't best friends, but friends none the less and she will be missed.
Anonymous -- if the news that this guy claimed someone killed Katherine because it would "be funny" gets to some folks on the inside, he may not be very safe there.
At least I hope he's not.
So there's that.
Wow! What a complete idiot this guy was!
^^ And is!
Cowardly scum borrowing courage and power from vile acts! That is what he is...
I'm confused - how is it second degree murder, 'without premeditation', when it was clearly premeditated as he lied etc to get her to the house?
RIP Katherine
Well Lizzy, he obviously didn't need a nanny, so I'm a bit miffed at why they are charging M2. It could be that they do not have all of the evidence yet to charge M1 and will charge later. You'd think the internet trail and obvious evidence of her having been killed fairly shortly after she arrived would indicate premed and murderous intent.
I am completely confused by the second degree charge as well ~ anyone have any knowledge of MN law? I am going to do some digging around to see if I can find ANY reason he sould not have been charged with first degree.
Went to Mike's MySpace page and linked to his friend, Steve. Found an interesting comment from a gal-pal of Steve and Mike's:
"well steve. mike admits to playing a big part in the murder. but he says they did'nt plan on killing her. he said that a freind was with him and his freind was the one who thought it would be funny to shoot her in the back. i have totally suspected that someone else is involved. the media is making it sound like he is convicted of shooting her and we are all safe. that is bull shit. there is still someone else out there who had the guts to shoot an innocent, unarmed woman in the back. they better be trying to figure it out. until the rest of this story surfaces you guard anesah and jordan(when you can) with your life. keep track of them with texting. PLEASE DON'T LET THEM GO ANYWHERE ALONE! tell us if jo is doing something unusual or strange. PLEASE. i'm really worried. because it is probably someone we know. be safe. love you. "
Makes ya wonder what all is going on in that bunch of kids. It's sad when these things happen. Even moreso when they happen at home.
If you go to his MySpace page and then click on his friend Steve's profile there is this comment left by another friend named All. In Steve's profile pic he appears to be pointing a gun.
" Oct 30 2007 11:13 AM
well steve. mike admits to playing a big part in the murder. but he says they did'nt plan on killing her. he said that a freind was with him and his freind was the one who thought it would be funny to shoot her in the back. i have totally suspected that someone else is involved. the media is making it sound like he is convicted of shooting her and we are all safe. that is bull shit. there is still someone else out there who had the guts to shoot an innocent, unarmed woman in the back. they better be trying to figure it out. until the rest of this story surfaces you guard anesah and jordan(when you can) with your life. keep track of them with texting. PLEASE DON'T LET THEM GO ANYWHERE ALONE! tell us if jo is doing something unusual or strange. PLEASE. i'm really worried. because it is probably someone we know. be safe. love you."
and if you go to that All girl's myspace page, Steve posted this:
" Steve
Oct 30 2007 5:22 PM
I have class im eating really quick then ill be on my way ill be done around 9 ill try calling you then. i cant believe this is happaning i never thought mike would do this! "
They're planning on charging him with murder one, but are waiting for a grand jury.
The evidence strongly suggests that he acted alone. The arrogance is what shocks us all the most. He made so many mistakes and told so many lies. Not sure where he thinks that blaming someone else will help.
Over 900 people attended the wake last night. More are expected for her funeral today. Unbelievable that a life so full was ended by what seems to be a very lonely, misguided young man. Infuriating.
Ali wrote this on Steves My Space page last night:
ali
Oct 31 2007 12:41 AM
i need to hear from you right away tomorrow. it's urgent. call me first thing in the morning. i need to talk to gary, and tony also. right away.
It just really seems to me that somebody knows something and they aren't talking. I think that they really need to further investigate to find out if there actually was an accomplice. What a really scary group of friends. I don't trust any of them. It really makes you think.
To Emerson and RockyMtnMom:
Reports are that the M2 charge can and likely will become an M1 at Grand Jury with all the evidence being introduced. The act was obviously premeditated. But as an act of caution, they charged him with M2 until the investigation is complete, so his attorney couldn't challenge the charges and get them dropped.
He is a sick young man that has ruined his life and the lives of others that touch him and Ms. Olson.
no doubt... go to that Ali girls myspace page... her and her friends all playing with a .45 Magnum in a bunch of her photos, there's even a photo of her cat playing with it!!! i realize the safety was probably on, but still... WTF?
not exactly the kind of folks i want to hang out with...
Anonymous:
Sorry about the loss of your friend. However, the sad fact of the matter is that creatures like this one don't experience remorse. They're more likely to flap their arms and fly than feel guilt. The best you can hope for is that he'll expereince fear for his safety for the rest of his life--or at least until he outgrows the baby-face--while in prison.
Fear for his safety, and rot and stagnate (and know it) while in prison. Let him waste away slowly and painfully and know his life is fading never to be renewed. Let him (and any accomplices if they exist) reap what he sowed.
WOW!! I just googled the address where the murder took place. When my kids were in elementary school, we lived within a couple of blocks of where this happened.
Ok- So this really doesn't make sense to me..
Katherine claimed to have talked to a woman "AMY" on the phone although she suggested that "AMY" seemed strange. I do NOT understand how Michael, a 19yr old MALE, 5'11, weighing 225LBS made himself sound like a girl!?! Can someone please try and explain? It just doesn't add up for me. There has to be some one else involved.
TA, that's the same question I want to know. Is Mike's voice high? Or can he make it high pitched?
TA & Breakout - I thought the same thing myself. Is it possible that "Ali" (whose MySpace blog exerpt that was posted above) is involved and the blog entry was simply a smoke screen to throw people off track? Wouldn't be unheard of! Perhaps, she is "Amy".
Breakout and Brenda-
Unless He pretended to be her husband? But Katherine's roommate specifically claimed that she spoke with "AMY" and commented to him that the "woman seemed kind of strange" I don't get it. I mean..I'm sure that he could make his voice high- pitched, but believable enough to pass for a woman?
Another thing I thought about:
Katherine arrived at Michaels house, lets say around 9:30a.m. His neighbor saw her car there at 4:00p.m. and again at 6:00p.m. Then the next day it was gone. Michael arrived at work at 1:29p.m. didn't get off of work until 9:49p.m Thursday night.. His father claims to work late, but wouldn't he have had to move Katherine's car before his MOM got home-(which I am completely assuming would be before 9:49 p.m. seeing as she wasn't there early in the morning)?! Which, in that case means somebody ELSE would have had to move the car before he got off work, and we know for sure that it wasnt moved before he left for work.
Another thing I thought about:
Katherine arrived, lets say around 9:30a.m. His friend saw her car there at 4:00p.m. and at 6:00p.m. and then the next day it was gone. Michael arrived at work at 1:29p.m. and didn't get off of work until 9:49 p.m Thursday night.. I understand that his father works late, but wouldn't he have had to move the car before his MOM got home? (which I am assuming gets off earlier than 9:49pm seeing as she wasnt home early in the morning) In that case, somebody ELSE would have had to move the car before he got off work, and we know for sure that the car didnt leave before he left for work.
The way the house is situated, it's possible that her car could have been parked on the street and not noticed by his Dad when he got home. I pass this house every day on my way home from work. Really creepy now. I can't help but look at it when I pass.
either this guy is mentally low voltage (calling this brutal murder 'funny'), or he is just a plain dumb ass all the way around. He seemed to have the forsight and wherewithall to put his little murderous worm on the hoo, and reel it in but he uses a towel WITH HIS NAME ON IT? WTF?? Sorry Michael Anderson...but your pathetic crime needs to be cross-filed into Steve~o's ASSHAT section as well as psychopaths, murder, and the like.
Does anyone know the high school Michael attended?
Until last Fall, he attended Cedar Alternative in Eagan, MN. Prior to that he was in the ISD 191 school district. He was apparently one grade behind because he's the same age as my daughter and she found him in her yearbook one year behind her.
I went to St Olaf College too and though I never/once spoke to Katherine, she always had a smile on her face. Sad, sad and very senseless. yes, I am shocked. Condolences to her family.
http://wcco.com/crime/
craigslist...t.2.599776.html
Grand Jury Indicts Minn. Man In Craigslist Killing
If you go back to the "Links, notes:" side of this page there is a section that shows Mike's Myspace also indicating that not much there since his login. However if you open it up and see that his only internet friend other than "Tom" the creator of Myspace is Steve. Scroll down just a little to the internet blogs posted by his friend's on October 30th. This should raise some red flags to an accomplice that these people may know and have found out about. They read as follows...
Oct 30 2007 11:13 AM
well steve. mike admits to playing a big part in the murder. but he says they did'nt plan on killing her. he said that a freind was with him and his freind was the one who thought it would be funny to shoot her in the back. i have totally suspected that someone else is involved. the media is making it sound like he is convicted of shooting her and we are all safe. that is bull shit. there is still someone else out there who had the guts to shoot an innocent, unarmed woman in the back. they better be trying to figure it out. until the rest of this story surfaces you guard anesah and jordan(when you can) with your life. keep track of them with texting. PLEASE DON'T LET THEM GO ANYWHERE ALONE! tell us if jo is doing something unusual or strange. PLEASE. i'm really worried. because it is probably someone we know. be safe. love you.
Oct 30 2007 1:26 PM
hey, call me this evening around 7. i need to ask you something kind of important.
ali
Oct 30 2007 10:41 PM
i need to hear from you right away tomorrow. it's urgent. call me first thing in the morning. i need to talk to gary, and tony also. right away.
ali
If you go back to the "Links, notes:" side of this page there is a section that shows Mike's Myspace also indicating that not much there since his login. However if you open it up and see that his only internet friend other than "Tom" the creator of Myspace is Steve. Scroll down just a little to the internet blogs posted by his friend's on October 30th. This should raise some red flags to an accomplice that these people may know and have found out about. They read as follows...
Oct 30 2007 11:13 AM
well steve. mike admits to playing a big part in the murder. but he says they did'nt plan on killing her. he said that a freind was with him and his freind was the one who thought it would be funny to shoot her in the back. i have totally suspected that someone else is involved. the media is making it sound like he is convicted of shooting her and we are all safe. that is bull shit. there is still someone else out there who had the guts to shoot an innocent, unarmed woman in the back. they better be trying to figure it out. until the rest of this story surfaces you guard anesah and jordan(when you can) with your life. keep track of them with texting. PLEASE DON'T LET THEM GO ANYWHERE ALONE! tell us if jo is doing something unusual or strange. PLEASE. i'm really worried. because it is probably someone we know. be safe. love you.
Oct 30 2007 1:26 PM
hey, call me this evening around 7. i need to ask you something kind of important.
ali
Oct 30 2007 10:41 PM
i need to hear from you right away tomorrow. it's urgent. call me first thing in the morning. i need to talk to gary, and tony also. right away.
ali
I have daughters. I would take this young bastard, put his jaw across Scott county courthouse's curb and stomp with incredible force with my Red Wing boots as I was lock and loading my marlin 52" 4 Gauge goose gun then cramming it up his @$$ to clean out his demons that caused him to create death upon such an innocent child.
i received a reply to my craigslist post for a parttime job several months ago. I ignored the nanny listing as I am in California. I do not remember much about the ad, but was he looking for anyone with that name?
I went to junior high with Mike. and I knew him. this is an absolute shock and it reall;y is very very sad. God bless the family of the victim and Mikes family as well. I really hope they find out why he did this to this poor girl and help him. I think what we all need to remember though. HNo matter how sick and twisted and aabsolutely wrong this was. It is not our jobs to pass judgement on others or wish misfortune on them. No matterwhat they did. Mike will get what is coming to him and God will be the one to deliver it.
It's not our job to pass judgement. The jury will do that. Thank God this animal is off the street.
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