The Murder of Mindy Morgenstern
For this case I watched an episode of Murder in the Heartland. It’s season 3 episode 1, titled ‘The Farmer’s Daughter.’
A young woman is found dead in her apartment.
Background
Mindy Morgenstern was 22 years old at the time of her death, and a student at Valley City State University.
Her parents Eunice and Larry, had adopted her and her sister from Bogota, Colombia. They grew up in New Salem, a town about 165 miles from Valley City. Mindy was described as a tomboy, who loved basketball, riding horses, and helping on the farm. She was nervous to start college, but her mom reminded her to breathe, and that she could do it.
Mindy Morgenstern
The Murder
On September 13, 2006, Mindy’s friends Toni Baumann and Danielle Holmstrom called her asking her to meet them for a drink. Mindy didn’t answer, so they decided to go over to her apartment.
When they arrived, Toni went up to the apartment, while Danielle waited in the car. Toni then ran back down, and told Danielle that Mindy was dead, and something was around her neck.
They both went to the apartment, which was pitch black. Mindy was found lying on the ground. She had been strangled with a belt, which was still around her neck. Her throat had also been cut, and she was almost decapitated. A bottle of Pine Sol had been spilled on her face, neck and chest.
While Toni and Danielle were in the apartment, a neighbor ran in, and checked Mindy’s pulse. Danielle described it as strange, she had never seen the man before. The friends then called 911.
The Investigation
The Valley City police and North Dakota BCI became involved in Mindy’s case.
The police described the scene as horrific. There were two knives found nearby, and the handles of the knives had actually been broken. Mindy had fought back, and the killer’s DNA was found underneath her fingernails. The skin cells were collected and sent into the crime lab.
There was no sign of forced entry or signs of robbery. Mindy’s friends said that they didn’t know anyone who want Mindy dead.
The Neighbor
The first person to be questioned was Mindy’s neighbor. They asked him what he was doing during the time of her murder, which the medical examiner determined happened between 12:23-12:47pm.
The neighbor said he had been watching TV, when he heard “abnormal noises.” He said he ran into the apartment, and it looked like Mindy had been strangled.
The police ran a background check on him, and he had spent time in prison. They also asked him about the marks on his hands. He said he had gotten those from work. The police took his DNA, and he was released for now.
The Suspicious Man
In the days after Mindy’s death, people gathered around the apartment complex. One man stood out to Mindy’s friends, especially her friend Lacey.
Lacey told Dave Swenson, the Valley City police sergeant, about the man. Lacey told Sgt. Swenson that the man was carrying a laundry basket, and appeared unaware of the friends and acquaintances mourning their friend.
The man was identified the man as Maurice ‘Moe’ Gibbs. He had spent time in prison, but currently worked as a corrections officer. He also worked as a night security guard at the university in the past.
Moe was asked about his time in the military. Moe said he had been dishonorably discharged because of an assault. His DNA was also taken, and he was released.
The Ex-Boyfriend
Mindy and her ex-boyfriend had dated for about 2-3 years, but had broken up in the months before her death. According to him, she had a very flirty personality. He said they had been in contact for awhile, but that she had been in contact with his dad.
He said that he had been uncomfortable with them still being in contact, and that it was ruining their relationship. His dad was also brought in, and it was revealed that the dad was one of the last people to call Mindy.
The boyfriend and the dad’s DNA were both taken, and it was eventually revealed not to be a match. They were ruled out.
Mindy’s Police Report
A few weeks before she died, Mindy had gone to the police station to report that someone had been following her. She was terrified, and told her mom and her friends.
Mindy worked as a waitress at Roby’s, a popular local restaurant. Mindy was described as being a popular waitress, and there was one man that lived across the street in a camper.
The man, who was described as a drifter and loner, was brought in for questioning. He told the police that he didn’t know Mindy or had ever been in the restaurant.
The man did have cuts on his arm, and he said he was doing some maintenance work. He was eventually ruled out, when his DNA wasn’t a match.
The DNA Results
On September 18, five days after Mindy’s death, the DNA results came back. The DNA that was collected from under Mindy’s nails, came back as a match to Moe Gibbs.
Moe was asked to come into the station again, this time for a polygraph test. The examiner told Moe that his answers were inconsistent, and asked how his DNA would’ve been found under Mindy’s nails. Moe said he didn’t know, but that he was never in her apartment.
Moe Gibbs was arrested. He tried to tell the police that his cuts were from moving items, and putting them into boxes. The police didn’t believe him.
Trial and Conviction
At Moe’s trial, his past came back to haunt him. In 2004, he had been linked to a rape of a woman in Fargo. He also admitted to assaulting five female inmates at Barnes County Jail, where he worked.
On November 11, 2007, Moe Gibbs was found guilty. He was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole. He was given an additional 15 years for the sexual assault charges.
Moe had appealed his conviction, but all appeals have been denied. This case has also led to several changes in doing background checks in the North Dakota correction facilities.
Moe Gibbs
FINAL THOUGHTS
It’s believed that Mindy denied Moe’s advances, and was killed because she said no. It’s a sad world we live in, where a woman is attacked and killed for saying the word no. Moe clearly thought that every single woman wanted him, and wouldn’t take no for an answer. Mindy helped the police solve her own murder, and without Moe’s DNA being found under her nails, there’s a chance this case wouldn’t have been solved. Mindy’s friend Lacey also helped. She had a weird feeling about Moe, and she was right.
Sources
https://thecinemaholic.com/mindy-morgensterns-murder/
https://thecinemaholic.com/where-is-moe-gibbs-now/
https://www.kxnet.com/news/local-author-shares-familys-tragic-story/
