A Minnesota man was charged on Monday for murdering his elderly mother last year and discarding her dismembered body parts.
KARE reported that Troy Mitteness, 56, admitted to stabbing Sandra Mitteness, 83, in June 2022 and scattering her remains as he drove from Burnsville to Appleton. The suspect allegedly said that he killed his mother because he spent all her money and she grew suspicious.
Last month, Burnsville police started investigating Troy Mitteness for mail fraud. Before they learned of Sandra Mitteness’ disappearance, cops learned that stolen money was being put in her bank accounts.
Troy Mitteness allegedly first told police that his mother was in South Dakota before admitting she had died on June 14, 2022. Relatives told police that they were also under the belief she had died last year, according to KARE.
Police opened a missing persons investigation after speaking with relatives — and discovering an online obituary which listed a funeral home that had no connection to Sandra Mitteness.
Blood was recovered from Sandra Mitteness’ vehicle which had been sold to a family member following her death. Police also discovered blood on a mattress and stairs in her home.
Troy Mitteness reportedly researched how to kill an elderly person before stabbing his mother in bed. He stated that he put her remains in several large totes, and eventually discarded two of them at a rest stop, KTSP reported.
Troy Mitteness was charged with second-degree murder. His bail was set at $2 million. KTSP reported that he was charged with mail theft late last month.
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[Featured image: KSDK video screengrab]