An octogenarian Minnesota man is in prison after killing his wife of over 65 years with a “large kitchen knife” during an argument this month, according to law enforcement in the Land of 10,000 Lakes.
Rodney Allen Andersen, 85, is charged with one count of second-degree murder without premeditation, according to a statement of probable cause filed by Wright County prosecutors.
According to police and prosecutors, the alleged self-widower contacted 911 immediately following the incident and acknowledged to the knife attack, even telling dispatchers where he disposed of the murder weapon. According to the charging complaint, the event took place in the late morning on September 12. Andersen called 911 just before 10 a.m. to report that “he had stabbed his wife and placed the knife in the sink,” according to local authorities.
A dispatcher informed responding cops that the defendant was ready to meet them at the front door of the couple’s home on Knollwood Street West in Annandale, a small town with 26 lakes about 50 miles northwest of Minneapolis. The guy allegedly told dispatchers that he “was not sure” whether his wife was still alive.
She wasn’t.
In the charging papers, Andersen’s wife is referred to as “JLA.” County officials later published her complete name. When officers arrived, Andersen was sitting on the steps right inside the home’s front entrance. Police claim they initially attempted to have the defendant vacate the foyer via a public speaker system. The officers then decided to call him on the phone. When the second attempt to get him out of the residence failed, police said they “made exigent entry” to check on the victim’s safety.
“When officers entered the home, the defendant was sitting on the steps of the home with his hands on his head with his face looking down at the floor,” according to the declaration of probable cause. “The defendant was shaking.”
Janet Louise Andersen, 82, was discovered lying on her back on the kitchen floor, according to the four-page criminal statement.
Police reported a pool of blood had formed around the woman’s body. Her clothes were “soaked in blood,” and although being warm, she had no pulse, according to local enforcement. The victim was described as having “several” puncture wounds on her belly, with blood seeping out of them.” Officers stated in the probable cause statement that the wounds “were obvious stab wounds from which she was heavily bleeding.”
Responding officers sought to save Janet Andersen’s life before handing over the impossible task to paramedics, who decided she died at the scene of the crime.
“When officers cleared the home, they discovered that it was only occupied by the defendant and the JLA,” the probable cause statement continued. “Officers observed a large kitchen knife in the sink that appeared to have blood on it.”
After being transferred to the police station and Mirandized, the defendant openly discussed the deadly occurrence, according to investigators.
The husband allegedly informed detectives that he and his wife had married in 1958 and that they “continuously argue.”
According to the charging complaint, the two “had a big argument” and “fought” around 7 a.m. that day, which “lasted until he called 911.”
“I guess I lost my head,” Andersen said, explaining the end of his tumultuous marriage — and most likely his life outside of a jail or law enforcement jurisdiction.
The probable cause statement adds, “The defendant stated that the knives are kept in the butcher block in the kitchen.” “The defendant assumed he retrieved the knife from the butcher block. The defendant stated that he does not remember how many times he stabbed JLA, but he knew he did it at least once. The defendant claimed he stabbed JLA in the middle somewhere. The defendant was unsure of the force he used to stab JLA.”
The defendant’s bail was set last week at $1 million with conditions or $3 million without conditions, according to a news release from prosecutors.
According to Law&crime, Andersen is next scheduled to appear in court on September 19.