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Violence Free Minnesota, the coalition to end relationship abuse, remembers Patricia Ann Spitzmueller, the 13th confirmed victim of intimate partner homicide in Minnesota in 2024.

Patricia Ann Spitzmueller, 71, was shot in the head and killed on July 18, 2024, in an apartment in Minnetonka. Authorities determined that Patricia’s husband Kenneth Spitzmueller, 76, shot and killed Patricia before killing himself. Patricia is described as a gifted textile artist and Spiritual Director who brought “a bright spark of light” to those around her, as well as endless creativity and warmth. She was widely admired for her award-winning quilt art. Patricia Ann Spitzmueller is survived by five children.
 

Learn more here: https://www.vfmn.org/we-remember #WeRememberMN 

Violence Free Minnesota, the coalition to end relationship abuse, remembers Janet Louise Andersen, the 12th confirmed victim of intimate partner homicide in Minnesota in 2024.

Janet Louise Andersen, 82, was stabbed and killed in her home in Annandale on September 12, 2024. Rodney Andersen, 85, Janet’s husband, is charged with 2nd-degree intentional homicide. Janet and Rodney Andersen were married for 65 years. Police were called to the home the morning of the 12th, where they found Janet’s body with several wounds to her abdomen. Rodney Andersen told police they “continuously argued” throughout their marriage and that they had “a big argument” starting around 7am that morning, during which he grabbed a knife in the kitchen and stabbed Janet before calling 911.

Learn more here: https://www.vfmn.org/we-remember #WeRememberMN 

Violence Free Minnesota, the coalition to end relationship abuse, remembers Payao Vang, the 11th confirmed victim of intimate partner homicide in Minnesota in 2024.

Payao Vang, 27, was shot and killed in a field in Empire on August 25, 2024, by her husband Smith Coop Brown, 65, who then shot and killed himself. Brown’s son had become concerned when Payao and Brown did not return from a trip to their farm plot. Brown’s son and another family member went to the plot where they found Payao and Brown dead. A gun was discovered in Brown’s hand and

another gun was found in his jacket. He had shot Payao in the head.

A statement from our member program Transforming Generations about Payao's death:
Many community members have reached out to us. Yes. Another Hmong woman has been murdered. Payao Vang was 27 years old and had her whole life ahead of her. Smith Coop Brown, 65 shot her before taking his own life. Not even a month ago, Maya Moua whose life was also senselessly taken by her partner, was just buried. When will the killing and femicide of our HMoob women end? What will it take to stop abusive international marriages? Both of them should still be here with us today and with their loved ones. We must do better. We cannot accept this. Peb yuav tsis tau qhov no.
 

When violence happens in our community, it can retraumatize and trigger many of us. If you or someone you know needs support, information, or simply just wants to talk to someone, please reach out to the Wisconsin Hmong Family Strengthening Helpline at 877-740-4292.

Learn more here: https://www.vfmn.org/we-remember #WeRememberMN