GoFundMe has set up a GoFundMe for the family Manijeh “Mani” Starren. She was found dead this week in a Woodbury locker after being missing for over two months.
Starren, 33 years old, was reported as missing by her father to the police on May 1, 2013. Her last contact with her family was around April 21.
According to the criminal complaint filed Friday, investigators believe that her boyfriend Joseph Steven Jorgenson (40) dismembered Starren.
Manijeh “Mani” Starren (Courtesy of Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension).
Organisers claim the GoFundMe page is an attempt to help Starren’s three children and her family with funeral costs and other expenses.
The fundraiser said, “Her beautiful children have tragically lost the love of their lives.” I don’t know how to help myself, so I hope we can help them in this way.
Breanna Moinicken told a Pioneer Press journalist that Starren was a very proud mother. This was before her remains were discovered. Starren is Breanna’s best friend, and she helps organize the fundraiser.
Moinicken stated that Moinicken’s priority was to spend time with her children.
She said Starren had made friends wherever she went, because she “has this positivity, patience and kindness she shows no matter who she is.”
Starren, who lived in St. Paul on East Seventh Street, near Johnson Parkway, told police her boyfriend was Jorgenson. The apartment manager confirmed this to the police. Investigators discovered on May 24 that the apartment management had found surveillance footage of Starren with Jorgenson. The camera was located outside her apartment.
Starren fled her apartment on the 21st of April. According to the complaint, Jorgenson chased Starren and grabbed her. He then turned her around, and pushed Starren back into her apartment.
Ernster stated that the video did not show her. “Jorgenson’s the only one who comes out.” Mani was never seen again, until we found her in Woodbury.
While investigating Starren’s murder, police learned about another woman missing. They asked anyone with any information to contact St. Paul Police on Friday.
Fanta Xayavong, (Courtesy the St. Paul Police Department).
Fanta Xayavong (33), was last seen in July 2021 with Jorgenson, possibly in Shoreview. Mike Ernster is a St. Paul Police spokesman. Police recently launched a missing persons investigation because she had not been reported as missing.
An investigation is underway into the relationship between Xayavong Jorgenson.