The Murder of April Sorensen

April Sorensen was found murdered inside her Minnesota home on April 17th, 2007. Her killing remains unsolved to this day.

At the time of her death, the 27-year-old woman lived with her husband, Joshua Sorensen, at a residence in Rochester. April was a student at Rochester Community and Technical College, where she was studying to become a dental hygienist. She also was working for UPS Inc. in the northwest part of town. 

April 17th, 2007 began as a seemingly normal day for both April and Joshua. April worked an early-morning shift at UPS from 4:00 AM to 8:00 AM. Meanwhile, Joshua went to his job at IBM. At 10:00 AM, April went to class. The class lasted approximately 50 minutes, and she returned home shortly after it concluded. 

Around 12:30 PM a TV technician arrived at the Sorensen residence for a scheduled appointment. The technician noticed smoke coming from inside the house and immediately called 911. Both the police and fire department responded to the scene. It was quickly determined that this was a case of arson, not an accidental fire.

After extinguishing the flames, investigators found April's body in the bedroom. It was clear that her death was not caused by the fire - as she had been stabbed, strangled, and her throat had been slit. It's believed that the fire was set after April was murdered in an attempt to cover up the crime.

Investigators immediately launched an investigation into the murder. After retracing April's steps, investigators learned that she was killed within a very short timeframe. She arrived home at approximately 11:00 AM after her class. When the TV technician arrived approximately 90 minutes later, the house was already on fire - meaning April had already been murdered and the killer(s) had already fled the scene by that point.

April's husband Joshua was inevitably questioned early on into the investigation. Joshua told police that he was at his job at IBM at the time the killing took place. Investigators were able to easily confirm this alibi, as the IBM building is a secure corporate campus that tracks when their employees enter and exit the premises. 

The TV technician was also ruled out as a suspect. Over the years, investigators have looked at several other persons of interest, including "one strong suspect." Detectives have not publicly named this person; however, they did mention that his person has been incarcerated for unrelated crimes. 

Several years have passed, and April's murder is still unsolved. Investigators have created a profile of a potential suspect; stating that "the offender may have been involved in other impulsive criminal behaviors in the past such as burglary, theft, trespassing, window peeking, or joy riding." Both detectives and April's loved ones are hoping that anyone with information about a potential suspect will come forward.

If you have any information that could help solve the murder of April Sorensen, please contact RPD homicide Detective Alex Kendrick at 507-328-2739.

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Sources:
ABC 6 News
KROC News
NBC News
Post Bulletin

The Murder of Kelsey Mazzamaro

On the morning of May 6th, 2018, a motorist in Burlington, Connecticut was driving past a pond off Upson Road when something unexpected was spotted in the water: a human body. Police responded to the scene and determined that the deceased was a young adult woman. Eventually, that woman was identified as Kelsey Mazzamaro - a 26-year-old mother-of-two. 

An autopsy determined that Kelsey had been strangled. The report lists neck compression as the exact cause of death. Investigators quickly labeled Kelsey's death as a homicide and their belief that she was killed before her body was placed in the pond.

When the news about Kelsey's murder broke on local media, it was also announced that police believed there was no threat to the community. As such, many began to speculate that Kelsey likely knew her killer(s). However, police did not share any further details about the investigation.

In 2021, a $50,000 reward was announced in exchange for information about Kelsey's murder. Investigators also made an appeal to the public for anyone who saw/interacted with Kelsey on May 5th, 2018, or May 6th, 2018, to come forward. Lots of tips came through after the reward was announced, but unfortunately, investigators have yet to receive information leading to an arrest.

There is very little additional information available about Kelsey's case. It's known that she had two young children, who are now left without their mother. Various posts on social media indicate that Kelsey was involved in sex work. However, police have yet to comment on whether or not this plays a role in her death.

Kelsey's case remains unsolved today. The reward money is still available. If you have any information that could help solve the case, please contact Connecticut's Cold Case Unit at 1-866-623-8058 or email them at cold.case@ct.gov.

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Sources:

CT. gov
CT Insider
CT Missing Persons & Cold Cases
NBC Connecticut

Reddit

The Disappearance of Giovanna Tyler

Source: FBI.gov

Giovanna Tyler has been missing since March 28th, 2004. The then-29-year-old was last seen at her home in Tacoma, Washington. Giovanna was reported missing by family members on April 15th, 2004, after it was determined that nobody in her circle had seen or heard from her in over two weeks. 

Prior to vanishing, Giovanna was reportedly in a rocky relationship with her husband. Reports note that she would often leave him for short periods of time to stay with friends. In August 2003, Giovanna filed for an order of protection against him. The couple seemingly had a pattern of splitting up and coming back together.

Giovanna's husband and their four children moved to Neah Bay, Washington after Giovanna's disappearance. The move was reportedly planned before Giovanna went missing. Still, this, amongst the other aforementioned factors, has created inevitable suspicion against Giovanna's husband. However, reports state that he has been cooperative with police throughout the investigation. 

In 2024 - twenty years after Giovanna's disappearance - her case was added to the FBI's kidnappings/missing persons list. The FBI bulletin states that "investigators have been unable to locate her or any persons who have had contact with her." The bureau is also offering a monetary reward of up to $10,000 in exchange for information that leads to Giovanna's whereabouts and/or the persons responsible for her disappearance.

If you have any information that could help solve the disappearance of Giovanna Tyler, please contact the Tacoma Police Department at 253-591-5506 or submit a tip to the FBI.

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Sources:
Charley Project
FBI
The News Tribune
Uncovered

The Murder of Ashley Okland

Source: CBS News

Ashley Okland was only 27 years-old when she was shot to death during the broad daylight on April 8th, 2011. Her murder remains unsolved to this day.

The day of Ashley's murder began as a regular day for the young woman. She was an employee of Iowa Realty Co., and she went to work that day on Stone Creek Court in West Des Moines. Around 2:00 PM, another realty employee heard a loud commotion coming from one of the model townhomes. The employee went to investigate and found Ashley on the floor, suffering from gunshot wounds. 

Police were called to the scene, and when they arrived, they determined that Ashley had been shot twice. Ashley was subsequently transported to the Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines. She unfortunately succumbed to her injuries while at the hospital.

Ashley's murder has baffled her loved ones. Ashley's brother, with whom she was very close, stated that there was no indication that Ashley was afraid of anyone or that she had any fears for her safety. A motive for her murder remains unknown; she did not have any known enemies, nor was she known to be involved in any dangerous or criminal activity. 

Several years have passed since Ashley's murder, and her killer still remains unknown. No suspects have ever been publicly named. A search warrant was executed during the early stages of the murder investigation, but it was sealed and remains at that status today. After years ticked by without an arrest, Ashley's case was eventually passed to a cold case unit.

Family and friends remember Ashley as a kind, caring, and hardworking young woman. During her free time, she volunteered for Young Variety and Big Brothers and Big Sisters. Ashley was reportedly passionate about helping young children. In 2014, the Ashley Okland Star Playground - a playground adapted for children with special needs - was opened in Ashley's honor at Ewing Park. 

Over the years, a large amount of money has been raised as a monetary incentive for anyone with information about Ashley's murder to come forward. In 2021, it was reported that "investigators assigned to the case are confident that someone has crucial knowledge about the time leading up to her death and the identities of those involved." As of today, though, it appears that no substantial leads have surfaced.

If you have any information that could help solve the murder of Ashley Okland, please submit a tip online or contact authorities at 515-223-1400.

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Sources:
CBS News
Crime Stoppers of Central Iowa
The Des Moines Register
KCCI Des Moines

The Murder of Jessica Bejarano

 

Jessica Bejarano was only 25 years-old when her life was tragically taken on April 6th, 2007. 

That day, police in Frederick, Colorado responded to a 911 call at her residence on Larkspur Circle. When officers entered the home, they found Jessica unresponsive on her bathroom floor. She had suffered a single stab wound to the chest. The first responders attempted life-saving measures to no avail, and Jessica was pronounced dead at the scene.

Jessica's two children, a 4-year-old daughter and a 2-year-old son, were also found in the home when police arrived. The children were reportedly distraught, but physically unharmed. According to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, "it appeared that [the children] had been unkept for most of the day and may have witnessed the murder."

When the investigation into Jessica's murder began, police initially looked into several suspects, including Jessica's husband. He was eventually cleared after it was determined he was at work at the time of the stabbing. As time passed without any arrests, news about Jessica's murder began to fade. The case soon grew cold.

Nearly 18 years later, in March 2025, a major break was announced: a 72-year-old man named Darrell Burkland had been arrested and charged with Jessica's murder. According to reports, "investigators ultimately obtained DNA evidence that subsequently yielded a potential match" to Burkland. Then, on March 14th, 2025, "investigators conducted a follow-up interview with Burklund. Following the interview, Burklund was arrested and taken into custody at the York County Sheriff’s Detention Center, in York, Nebraska."

Burkland was 54 years-old at the time of the crime. He worked as a maintenance worker. At the time of Burkland's arrest, no further details about the investigation were provided. Although he was arrested in Nebraska, he will face the charges for Jessica's murder in Colorado. The case is currently pending. 

Sources:
ABC 7 Denver
Colorado Bureau of Investigation, (2)

The Disappearance of Jeremy Vasquez

 

Jeremy Vasquez has been missing since February 20th, 2020. The then 16-year-old was last seen at his family's home in Victoria, Texas. On the day of his disappearance, Jeremy walked into a wooded area behind his home with his dog. The dog later returned, but Jeremy did not. He has never been seen or heard from again. 

The day Jeremy vanished was a Thursday. He had school that day but did not go after waking up to a fight between his father and stepmother. A short time later, another disagreement prompted him to leave the residence, saying he needed to get some fresh air. Jeremy's stepmother said she saw him and his dog walking into the woods. This appears to be the last confirmed sighting of Jeremy.

Hours later, Jeremy's dog returned to the home without Jeremy. This was immediately worrisome to his loved ones, as it was uncharacteristic for him to separate from his dog while on a walk. Additionally, Jeremy did not have a history of running away, nor did he pack any of his personal belongings when he left the home.

Despite this, family members said that police treated Jeremy's case as a "routine runaway case" after he was reported missing. As such, Jeremy's disappearance did not receive much public attention. Family and friends then took matters into their own hands by spreading information about his disappearance on social media. Reward money was offered as well. Unfortunately, this did not appear to lead to any substantial tips.

In 2023, police finally reclassified Jeremy's case as an endangered missing child. Since then, though, no updates or information about the investigation have been publicly provided. A 2025 report on Jeremy's disappearance states that "local authorities and volunteers have conducted numerous searches over the years, but no significant leads have emerged."

Jeremy is described as a Hispanic male with brown hair and brown eyes. At the time of his disappearance, he was somewhere between 5'7"-6'0" and approximately 140 lbs. If you have any information that could help solve Jeremy's disappearance, please contact the Victoria Police Department at 361-573-3221 or submit a tip online.

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Sources:
Charley Project
Crossroads Today, (2)

National Center for Missing and Exploited Children

The Disappearance of Elizibeth 'Lizzy' Green

Elizibeth 'Lizzy' Green has been missing since April 17th, 2024. The then-21-year-old was last seen Callao, Utah. On the day of her disappearance, Lizzy left her family's home to walk a short distance to her new job at a nearby ranch. She has never been seen or heard from again.

Prior to vanishing, Lizzy was living in Callao with her mother, stepfather, and brothers. Callao is a small desert town in Utah with approximately only 50 residents. The nearest city is reportedly hours away. As such, the employment opportunities in Callao are likely not as vast as they are in suburban or urban areas; however, Lizzy had just gotten a job at a ranch near her family's home.

The day Lizzy vanished was supposed to be her first day working at the ranch. According to the owner of the ranch, Lizzy never arrived. When she also did not return home that evening, her family members and other Callao residents searched for her to no avail. The family contacted the Juab County Sheriff's Office the following morning to report Lizzy missing.

Searches were conducted in the area between Lizzy's home and the ranch. Search and rescue teams also did a grid search with helicopters. Unfortunately, no sign of Lizzy was found. Investigators also searched Lizzy's family's property and the ranch property. According to reports, nothing suspicious was found.

Investigators eventually obtained search warrants for Lizzy's cell phone activity and social media accounts. It was determined that Lizzy was talking to "several people" online via Snapchat and a dating app. At this point, though, it is unclear if this plays a role in her disappearance. Lizzy's cell phone has not been used since the day she vanished.

Lizzy's loved ones stated that Lizzy sometimes struggled with mental health and had run away before, but always either returned or contacted family within a day or two. This time around, those closest to Lizzy do not believe she has stayed missing on her own accord.

The Juab County Sheriff's Office is in charge of investigating Lizzy's disappearance. If you have any information that could help the investigation, please contact authorities at 435-856-0358.

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Sources:
KUTV, (2)
People
Utah Dept. of Public Safety