Troy M. Mitteness, a 58-year-old man from Minnesota, has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the brutal murder and dismemberment of his 82-year-old mother, Sandra Viola Mitteness.
The crime took place in 2022 after Sandra discovered her son was stealing from her, prompting him to kill her and dispose of her remains in various locations.
Life Sentence After Gruesome Murder Conviction
On Tuesday, Dakota County District Judge Richelle M. Wahi handed down the sentence after a jury convicted Troy Mitteness of first- and second-degree murder earlier this month. County Attorney Kathy Keena expressed her appreciation for the jury’s work, acknowledging the disturbing nature of the case.
The Grisly Crime Unfolds
Troy Mitteness’ arrest in July 2023 followed an investigation into allegations of mail theft. Detectives discovered that proceeds from the theft had been deposited into his mother’s bank account, raising suspicions about Sandra’s well-being.
Initially, Troy told police that his mother had died in South Dakota, later claiming she had passed away in June 2022 after a fall. However, investigators soon learned that no funeral services had been provided for Sandra, and her family members had not seen her for over a year.
Uncovering the Truth
Further investigation revealed blood stains on the stairs, a mattress, and box spring at the Mitteness home. Forensic tests also indicated blood in the trunk of Sandra’s car, which Troy had sold after claiming she was dead. In a post-Miranda interview, Troy admitted to killing his mother on June 2, 2022.
He confessed to stabbing her in her sleep with a large kitchen knife after she became suspicious of his financial activities. He then dismembered her body and disposed of her remains in plastic bins, which he discarded along the highway in Minnesota.
Details of the Dismemberment
According to Troy’s confession, after killing his mother, he drove her body parts in plastic totes to various locations, including behind an abandoned rest stop near Willmar, Minnesota. Authorities recovered the bins matching those found in his garage during the search.
A Gruesome and Horrific Crime
The case has been described as one of the most disturbing that County Attorney Keena has encountered in her more than three decades as a prosecutor. The details of Sandra Mitteness’ murder and dismemberment shocked the community, and Troy Mitteness will spend the rest of his life in prison for his actions.