The Murder of Cheyenne Clough
For this case, I watched an episode of Mean Girl Murders. It’s season 1 episode 7, titled ‘Minnesota Vicious.’
A teenager is killed by her so called friends.
Background
Cheyenne Clough grew up in Buffalo, Minnesota, a small town about 45 minutes west of the Twin Cities. Cheyenne was described as quirky, but was able to make friends with a lot of different friend groups.
In the summer of 2012, Cheyenne became pregnant at the age of 15. She eventually dropped out of school, and decided to give her mother primary custody of her son. However, Cheyenne visited her son as much as she could, worked several jobs, and moved to a new house in the town of Maple Lake.
Cheyenne Clough
The House in Maple Lake
After breaking up with the father of her son, Cheyenne began dating someone new. They dated for about a year, but ultimately broke up. The break up didn’t end on good terms, and the man blocked Cheyenne from social media.
After this break up, Cheyenne began dating a man named Devon Boyles. Devon was described as a bad boy, and was reported to be part of a gang. Devon also had criminal history. Cheyenne and Devon became inseparable.
Cheyenne lived in the home in Maple Lake with several other people. Cheyenne became especially close to Callie Anderson and Natasha Bradenburger. Callie’s boyfriend, Shawn Benson, and Natasha’s boyfriend, Justin Jensen also lived in the house.
At first, they all seemed to get along really well. Eventually, Callie’s attitude towards Cheyenne soured. Callie had wanted to steal money on dates that she would set up with men on dating apps, but Cheyenne said no. Callie was also reportedly jealous of Cheyenne and Natasha’s friendship. Callie would say mean things even if Cheyenne was just in another room and could hear her.
The 911 Call
On June 1, 2016, a 911 call was made. The caller said they had seen what looked like a dead body at Crow Springs Park in Wright County, Minnesota.
A young female had been found lying face down in the park. She appeared to be dead, but was actually still alive, and was rushed to the hospital. She had bullet holes to her back and head.
The police learned that several witnesses had heard a female screaming and what sounded like gunshots.
The victim was identified as Cheyenne Clough. While she was in the hospital, Cheyenne’s family was asked if Cheyenne had any enemies. Devon’s name came up, as well as the name of her other ex-boyfriend.
The ex-boyfriend had stated that he knew a bounty hunter who had recently arrested Devon. Devon had been arrested on May 31 at the Maple Lake house, just one day before Cheyenne was found.
On June 1, Devon was interviewed. He admitted to being arrested the previous day around 1pm, and that Cheyenne had been with him. The police were able to rule Devon out. He had been in custody at the time of the shooting.
Devon was asked if anyone else had been in the home with them. He said Natasha was also there.
Keep Your Friends Close…
The police went to the house to speak to Natasha and the other roommates. But, when they arrived, no one was there, and it looked as if they had left in a hurry.
The house was a complete disaster. There were bullet holes in the walls and shell casings lying around. The shell casings seemed to match the type of gun that Cheyenne had been shot with. Natasha’s ID was also found in the house.
A BOLO (be on the lookout) was put out for her and Justin Jensen.
The police asked Cheyenne’s loved ones and friends about her new housemates. They said there were a lot of issues, and Natasha and Callie had started to bully her. Natasha was described as very fake and two-faced.
The Arrests
On June 3, 2016, the police received information that a car matching Natasha and Justin’s was captured on CCTV video near Minneapolis. The surveillance footage was form a gas station. The police learned that Callie, Shawn, and another friend identified as Eddie Zelko had been traveling in another vehicle. This vehicle was also captured on the surveillance footage.
The police discovered through Justin’s Facebook that the group had traveled to International Falls, not far from the Canadian border. Justin had posted a photo holding cash in one hand, and a gun in the other.
On June 4, 2016, Cheyenne was taken off life support. This was now a homicide case.
The police located the house of Justin’s friend in International Falls. He, Natasha, Shawn and Callie were all arrested on suspicion of murder. The police didn’t have evidence that they were involved, but hoped one of them would confess.
The Motive
On June 5, Callie was interviewed first while she was being held in jail. The police thought that she had the least involvement, but had been on the road trip to International Falls.
Callie said she had last seen Cheyenne on May 31, when Devin was arrested at the house.
Callie said Cheyenne believed that Natasha had made the call to snitch on Devin. After Cheyenne accused Natasha of this, they told her that she had to leave the house. Callie said the last thing she said to Cheyenne was to get her things and leave. Callie said Cheyenne was picked up after they kicked her out. The interview ended after Callie asked for a lawyer.
Natasha was interviewed next. Natasha also said that Cheyenne believed she had made the call to snitch on Devon. Natasha said she had told Cheyenne to leave, but she wouldn’t, and was being rude and disrespectful.
Natasha said that Cheyenne had made a comment about turning Callie in if Natasha called the police. At the time, Callie had a warrant out for her arrest. She had been arrested for assault, but was bailed out of jail. Callie never showed up to her bail hearing.
Natasha said Callie had grabbed Cheyenne by the back of her hoodie. They all started fighting, and Justin walked in. Natasha said she, Justin and Callie had made the decision that Cheyenne had to go.
A Group Effort
Natasha admitted to grabbing a gun from their house, putting it in her backup and handing it to Justin. Justin then gave the gun to Shawn.
It was Shawn and Eddie’s job to drive Cheyenne somewhere after she was forced to leave the house. They returned about an hour later, and gave the signal that Shawn had shot Cheyenne.
The murder weapon has never been recovered. Justin, Shawn and Eddie pled guilty to second degree intentional murder. They were sentenced to 30-40 years in prison.
Callie and Natasha avoided murder charges because there wasn’t enough evidence that they were involved.
There are some that believe that Justin was the true mastermind, and some that believe Natasha was. It also wasn’t stated in the episode, but the Eddie, Justin and Shawn all had done meth on June 1 before murdering Cheyenne.
From L-R: Callie Anderson, Shawn Benson, Natasha Bradenburger, Justin Jensen and Eddie Zelko (Photo source: https://wjon.com/6-people-arrested-in-death-of-buffalo-woman-found-in-park/).
FINAL THOUGHTS
A young boy was robbed of spending more time with his mother. Cheyenne’s family was robbed of getting to see Cheyenne grow up and thrive. Cheyenne was killed over a stupid argument. It’s always crazy to me how a group of people decide to take the life of another person. Callie and Natasha should be rotting in prison just like Eddie, Justin and Shawn are. They are all a bunch of sick individuals.
Sources
https://thecinemaholic.com/where-are-shawn-benson-and-justin-jensen-today/
https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/cheyenne-clough-murder-edward-zelko-guilty-plea/
https://www.sportskeeda.com/pop-culture/5-shocking-details-cheyenne-clough-s-murder
https://wjon.com/6-people-arrested-in-death-of-buffalo-woman-found-in-park/
