Red Lake Woman Found Guilty of Murder and Arson (DOJ)

MINNEAPOLIS - A Red Lake woman has been found guilty of five counts of first-degree murder and one count of arson following a two-and-a-half-weeklong trial, announced U.S. Attorney Daniel N. Rosen.

On March 15, 2024, Jennifer Marie Stately, 37, attacked and killed two of her young children. The evidence at trial showed that Stately, when alone with the children at their home on Red Lake Nation, assaulted the boys causing numerous injuries and attacked them with a knife. Stately fatally stabbed her older son before setting the home on fire. Investigators with the ATF determined Stately used gasoline and lighter fluid to ignite three separate fires, including fires at both exit points of the home. While the older boy died of his sharp force injuries, the younger boy was trapped inside and died of carbon monoxide poisoning.

After setting fire to the home, Stately fled the scene and was missing for several hours. The Red Lake Tribal Police Department issued an AMBER Alert, and, less than an hour later, a motorist spotted Stately in Todd County-approximately 150 miles south of the Stately home. Minnesota State Patrol, the Todd County Sheriff's Department, and the Long Prairie Police Department responded to Stately's location. She was apprehended and booked in the Todd County Jail.

Following a two-and-a-half-week trial before the Honorable Judge John R. Tunheim, the jury returned guilty verdicts on all six counts: two counts of first-degree premeditated murder, two counts of murder in the course of committing child abuse, one count of murder in the course of committing arson, and one count of arson. At trial, Stately pursued the affirmative defense of insanity. The jury rejected that defense.

"The FBI is honored to have partnered with federal, state and tribal law enforcement partners to bring justice to these young victims who had no chance at survival while in the care of the one person who should have kept them safe," said Rick Evanchec, the Interim Special Agent in Charge of the FBI's Minneapolis Field Office.

"ATF Certified Fire Investigators are experts in fire science and routinely provide expert assistance on cases involving both criminal and accidental fires. We are proud to have provided that expertise in this investigation to honor these young victims and hopefully provide some measure of closure to the community. Our commitment to protecting the public and the most innocent among us is unwavering, and ATF will continue partnering with our federal, state, and local partners to protect Minnesota communities from violent criminals," said ATF Assistant Special Agent in Charge Spence E. Burnett.

"We all witnessed the devastating aftermath of Jennifer Stately's horrific and unthinkable actions that night. We hope that holding her accountable for her crimes will provide some sense of justice for the family and the entire Red Lake community who are forever impacted by the loss of these two young boys," said Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Superintendent Drew Evans. "We stand with our federal and tribal law enforcement partners in our shared grief and commitment to seeking justice and supporting the community."

"The guilty verdict this week brings justice to a case that has deeply affected our entire Red Lake Nation community. On behalf of the dedicated men and women of this department, I want to acknowledge the tireless work of our Investigators along with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Minnesota BCA Crime Scene Technicians, Todd County Sheriff's Office, Long Prairie Police Department and lastly the United States Attorney's Office for their professionalism and determination with such a tragic incident.

Most importantly, our thoughts remain with the family and loved ones of the victims. No verdict can undo the pain of their loss, but we hope this outcome provides some sense of closure.

The Red Lake Department of Public Safety remain committed to protecting our community, standing with victims and ensuring justice is served," said Director of Red Lake Department of Public Safety Kendall Kingbird, Sr.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI, aided by the ATF, the BCA, the Todd County Sheriff's Department, the Long Prairie Police Department, and the Red Lake Tribal Police Department. The coordination of resources between these law enforcement agencies was imperative to the apprehension of Stately and the ultimate resolution of this case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Rachel L. Kraker and Garrett S. Fields prosecuted the case.