A Minnesota mother of five was allegedly beaten to death by her attorney ex-husband while she swapped custody while holding her three-year-old in her arms.
Anders Odegaard, 31, has been charged with second-degree murder for killing his ex-wife Carissa, also 31.
Authorities in Warren responded to Mr Odegaard’s residence after his 9-year-old son alerted a motorist of an assault about 5pm on Tuesday. Ms Odegaard has come home to pick up her five children and take them to church, daily mail report.
Mr Odegaard then allegedly refused to let the children go and began strangling and beating his ex-wife until she lost consciousness. The two eldest Odegaard children witnessed the attack while their mother held their little brother in her arms.
When authorities arrived at the scene, they reportedly found Mr Odegaard covered in blood and wearing only his underwear.
Ms. Odegaard was found seriously injured and taken to Sanford Hospital in Fargo, North Dakota, where she later died. The couple filed for divorce in 2021, citing an “irreparable collapse” after 10 years of marriage.
Mr Odegaard was arrested and his bail was set at $2.5 million, Fox News report.
Mr Odegaard arrested, his bail set at $2.5 million
(Marshall County Sheriff’s Office)
According to police, his eldest son sought help from a motorist who then called the police.Two other children, aged six and four, were in Ms Odegaard’s car
“[The motorist] Speaking to the older of the two boys, it was really bad that his mother lay bleeding on the floor in the house. The boy said he thought she was dead. ” mail read.
“He asked the boy in the house and he said his dad was in the house with his mum.”
The eldest child told police that Mr Odegaard had hit their mother in the head with a knife and he was later “in the [their mother] Choke her,” Fox reported. Ms. Odegaard was motionless as they tapped her feet.
When asked about what happened, Mr Odegaard allegedly told police he “felt not right”. His three-year-old did not answer officials’ questions.
“The toddler would not say anything. He did see what happened because his mother had been holding him at the time of the attack,” the police report said.
When asked about what happened, Mr Odegaard allegedly told police he “felt wrong”.
(Facebook)
Mr. Odegaard will serve briefly as the Mercer County State Attorney in North Dakota in 2021. He continued to serve as a public official in North Dakota before moving to Minnesota.
According to a friend of Ms Odegaard, she has decided to file for divorce in 2020, citing emotional abuse.
According to Fox, Ms. Odegaard has physical custody of the children, but Mr. Odegaard is also allowed to spend time with them.
Ms. Odegaard, who ran a photography business, is fondly remembered by her family and community members, who describe her as a devoted mother.
According to a friend of Ms Odegaard’s decision to file for divorce in 2020, citing emotional abuse
(Facebook)
“After leaving her ex, I watched her rebuild a wonderful life for her and her children, devoting herself to all of their needs. She had a very graceful personality with everyone and provided for everyone tools for success while cheering on the interests of each of them,” her sister Anna Woinarowicz told Information Forum.
The family created a GoFundMe to pay for funeral expenses. Over $33,000 has been raised.
