MINNEAPOLIS — A Minnesota mother has been convicted on federal murder and arson charges after killing two of her young sons and setting their home ablaze in a premeditated attack that devastated the Red Lake community.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Minnesota announced Thursday, Feb. 26, that Jennifer Marie Stately, 37, was found guilty of five counts of first-degree murder and one count of arson. The verdict follows a harrowing investigation into the March 15, 2024, incident that claimed the lives of 6-year-old Remi Stately and 5-year-old Tristan Stately.
A Premeditated Attack and Fatal Arson
According to federal prosecutors and evidence presented at trial, Stately initiated a calculated attack on her children before attempting to destroy the evidence by fire. Investigators with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) determined that Stately used gasoline and lighter fluid to ignite three separate fires within the residence.
Critically, the investigation found that Stately set fires at both exit points of the home, effectively trapping the victims inside.
The causes of death underscored the brutality of the evening:
- One child died from multiple knife wounds to the chest.
- The second child succumbed to smoke inhalation as the residence was consumed by flames.
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The AMBER Alert and Arrest
Following the murders, Stately fled the scene with her 3-year-old son, triggering a statewide AMBER Alert. The pursuit ended when a motorist spotted Stately’s vehicle and alerted authorities.
When law enforcement intercepted the vehicle, they discovered the toddler suffering from “visible signs of child neglect” and covered in wounds. While the 3-year-old survived the ordeal, the discovery added a charge of child neglect to the mounting evidence against Stately.
Rejection of Insanity Defense
Throughout the proceedings, Stately’s defense attempted to argue a plea of insanity. However, the jury rejected these claims, instead siding with the prosecution’s evidence of premeditation and intent.
The final conviction includes:
- 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.
“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, Interim Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Minneapolis Field Office.
Impact on the Red Lake Community
The case has left a lasting scar on the Red Lake Indian Reservation, where the crimes occurred. Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Superintendent Drew Evans emphasized the importance of the verdict in providing a “sense of justice” for a community “forever impacted by the loss of these two young boys.”
Stately remains in federal custody pending sentencing. Under federal law, a conviction for first-degree murder carries a mandatory sentence of life imprisonment.
