What is the probability that Anne Dunlap was murdered by a stranger?

Let’s examine murder in Minneapolis in 1995. All of the facts gathered here are from, “Minnesota Homicides, 1985-1997” from The Criminal Justice Center. 

1995 was a record homicide year in Minneapolis. 99 murders to be exact. The city received the unfortunate nickname, “Murderapolis.” However, most murders were linked to drugs, especially crack.

Seasonal occurrence of murder varied a bit from 1985-1997. Summer and Fall (June – November) were the most typical seasons for homicide incidents. Incidents in colder months included lovers’ triangles, motor vehicle thefts, and robberies. Anne being murdered in late December, possibly in a vehicle theft and robbery would fit. As far as I know there weren’t reports of affairs on either Anne nor Brad’s side to suggest a lovers’ triangle.

Firearms were the most common murder weapons in 1995 (>50%). The next most common murder weapons were knives and personal weapons. Handguns were used more with multiple offenders. Knives were used more with single offenders (>25% of single offender incidents). 50% of offenders in groups and 34% of lone offenders used handguns. Knives are used in 33% of homicides occurring in rape situations. Although Anne’s cause of death was sharp force injuries, she was not sexually assaulted. So, not a typical situation, likely a single offender…

Other interesting facts regarding murder in Minneapolis:

• 1985-1997: 0 women were murdered as a result of motor vehicle theft.
• 87% of women raped were also murdered, while only 11% of women robbed were murdered.
• 54-70% of 1985-1997 homicide victims knew their offender/s, 10% intimately.
  • Of those intimately known, 8 out of 10 were female victims.
  • Knives were used 31% in homicides by other family members.
  • A knife is the most common weapon for female offenders (33%).
• 17% of 1985-1997 homicide offenders were strangers to the victim.
  • The greatest # of firearm homicides occurred with an unknown offender.
  • 44% of homicides related to theft were strangers.

Assuming Anne was abducted from the Mall of America. It is highly unlikely that she was murdered right in the parking lot/ramp in broad daylight. It’s also not likely that someone stunned her, opened her trunk, and got her in the trunk completely unnoticed.

Since she was not sexually assaulted, the motive would have to be strictly robbery… Why kill her when she’s already in the trunk? You already have her car, purse, and credit cards. What would be the point in killing her? Why not just leave the car like you did at Kmart. Speaking of.., why would you risk being seen with her car at Kmart? I would think an unknown offender could dump the car wherever. You wouldn’t have to stage it. Now what kind of dummy puts himself in all of this trouble just to rob Anne Dunlap…but dump the car, never try to use her credit cards, nor pawn her wedding rings…hmmm….?

So, could Anne Dunlap have been murdered by a stranger? It is possible, but the probability is low.