Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. He said that staffing issues and lack of resources interfered with achieving a breakthrough in the case in the past. Rice is the only person ever charged in the murder of Knutson, who was stabbed to death 15 years ago. P*@ T 516 2nd Ave SW Minot, ND 58701; 701 852 1045; janet.anderson@minotnd.org; Facebook; Instagram; / CBS News. |jT 34-year-old Nichole Rice, Minot, was taken into custody Wednesday and charged with murdering her roommate, Anita Knutson. Nichole Rice, 34, appeared in Ward County District Court in connection with the 2007 death of 18-year-old Anita . Rice, who is now a 34-year-old married mother who works as a civilian employee at the Minot Air Force Base, was arrested on Wednesday, March 16, 2022, the Minot Police Department announced. Talbott wrote that Knutson had been texting with a friend on Sunday, June 3, 2007. 4 0 obj Those interviewed recalled conflicts over an alarm clock and a fish tank, as well as Rice calling Knutson derogatory names to others. Nothing of value was taken from the room, the complaint said. Anita Knutson was found stabbed to death in her home when her father asked for a wellness check because he . Prosecutors suspect Knutson was killed either June 2 or June 3, 2007, according to the complaint. |jT Welcome to Nichole Thomas and Dallas Rice's Wedding Website! MINOT, N.D. (KFGO) - Minot police have announced the arrest of a woman who they believe killed her roommate 15 years ago. Please enable javascript and refresh the page to continue reading local news. Klug did not go into detail about what job Rice had at the Air Force base and the Air Force hasnt commented about her employment status. Update From Today: 34 year old Nichole Rice, Anita's former roommate, has been charged with the murder. It also states that Rices statements about where she was the night of the murder were inconsistent, as were her familys statements. The North Dakota Supreme Court will not answer certified questions absent development of the factual record because doing so exposes the court to the danger of improvidently deciding issues. After nearly 15 years of investigating and following up on leads, the suspect is in custody, Minot Police Chief John Klug said at a press conference. They have also lived in Velva, ND. Anita Knutson, a student at Minot State University, was found stabbed to death in her apartment on June 4, 2007. A page related to that job has also been deleted. Knutson was found dead in her off-campus apartment in Minot on June 4, 2007, after her father called for a welfare check, according to police. She has also gone by Nichole Bakken. P*@ T Nichole is currently the Vice President of Network Deployment and Operations at Dish Wireless, leading the Central United States through deployment of the nation's first open RAN, cloud native 5G . The court issued a bench warrant for her arrest after she failed to appear in court and had not paid the $451.01 in fines and fees by the due date. When asked about the arrest, she had one comment before ending the call. Copyright 2022 KFYR. Other than Knutson, only Rice, a landlord and a maintenance worker would have had a key. by Anne Tyler. A pocket knife with dried blood on it was found near the bedroom window, court documents said. According to police, Knutsons purse, laptop, phone, a digital camera and other valuables were left in her bedroom, suggesting theft was not a motive., The affidavit added, The single window in Antias room, which was located just past the foot of her bed, was wide open and missing a screen. Reached by phone, Rice's father declined to comment. She was sentenced to a 30-day suspended sentence. One person heard Rice tell Knutson, One way or another, Im going to get you out of this house, the complaint said. Statements received from Nichole were inconsistent and contradicted each other. Ward County Jail/Knutson Family One witness told police Rice was at a bar in Ruso, North Dakota, about 40 miles south of Minot, from the night of June 2, 2007, until early June 3, 2007, the complaint said. But said Rice was never officially ruled out as a suspect in Knutsons murder. After the divorce, she went by her maiden name, Thomas, until she married her current husband, Dallas Rice, on Dec. 11, 2021. ", First published on March 17, 2022 / 6:52 AM. If you feel you have received this message in error, please contact the customer support team at 1-833-248-7801. The screen on the window in Knutsons bedroom had been cut open and was found face down on her bed with multiple stab wounds. Rices defense argued that she was not a flight risk because of family ties and her lack of a criminal record. Rice was at work on Minot Air Force Base as a civilian when she was arrested without incident, Police Chief John Klug said at Wednesday evening news conference. Police in North Dakota said Wednesday they have arrested a woman who was the former roommate of an 18-year-old college student who was killed nearly 15 years ago. Becher would bolster his argument by citing a number of reports from prior investigators and even analysts from the FBI who theorized that Hall was the most likely suspect to have broken in and killed Knutson. After a detention hearing on March 29, 2019, Judge . March 16, 2022, 7:04 PM. |jrT Finally, my heart goes out to the family. Select this result to view Dallas Rice's phone number, address, and more. P*@4 T2 MINOT, N.D. - The woman charged with AA-felony intentional murder in the 15 . Living in an apartment with a roommate, Anita was working two jobs and excited about summer break. Knutson was stabbed to death in her apartment in . According to Minot Police Chief John Klug, 34-year-old Nichole Rice was arrested at about 3:25 this (Wed) afternoon for the 2007 murder of Anita Knutson. Rices father, Kevin Thomas, put down the $120,000 cash approximately an hour after her initial appearance, and she was released until her next hearing on April 21 at 3 p.m. She has been ordered not to leave North Dakota. Its been a long time dream of both of theirs to own some land of their own!. Carmen Asham, Det. Rice initially maintained she was at her parents' farm near Velva, North Dakota, the weekend of Knutson's murder, but subsequent statements from her and family members over the years were inconsistent, Talbott said. Rices arrest affidavit states that witnesses recall that Rice and Knutson had a strained relationship and that Rice admitted to a man she dated briefly that she had done it.. Talbott also noted a number of statements made by people who knew both Rice and Knutson at the time who said that despite being very close when they were younger, the pairs relationship had grown toxic since they moved in together. Anita Knutson, a student at Minot State University, was found stabbed to death in her apartment on June 4, 2007. He went to her apartment on June 4. PQ9GH. Facebook/InstagramNichole Thomas Rice was in a memorial group for her slain roommate Anita Knutson. According to the affidavit, Law Enforcement re-interviewed multiple people, including the defendant, in 2022., Klug said he couldnt get into the details of everything that went into the affidavit of this arrest. The murder weapon, a bloody knife, had been left behind in the sink. People at a gathering Rice attended were discussing who killed Knutson, and later that night, as she was getting into bed with her then-boyfriend, she said she did it, court documents alleged. endstream P*@ T* P*@ T* \EOWy P("cP*@@SS{ Another person told investigators that Rice called her roommate derogatory terms, according to court documents. Apt. Minot Police Chief John Klug said in a press conference following Rices arrest that Cold Justice, a television series featuring detectives who travel to small towns and investigate unsolved murders, had a hand in piecing together evidence that local law enforcement already had. P*@ < A UOU T Nicole Hanson, 35. The full affidavit of probable cause can be read here. P*px>]Ip*@ There was never enough to arrest her, but I would say she was always a person of interest in this case, said Chief John Klug. The birthplace of eight secretaries of state was unknown. People named Nicole Rice. We would like to extend our gratitude to the Minot Police Department, particularly Captain Dale Plessas and Detectives Mikali Talbott and Carmen Asham, for the hard work they have put into this case., The prosecutors office added, As this case moves forward in the court system it will be handled by Assistant States Attorneys Leah Viste and Tiffany Sorgen. Anita had a reputation for being kind, friendly and likable. Police in North Dakota said Wednesday they have arrested a woman who was the former roommate of an 18-year-old college student who was killed nearly 15 years ago. He said the mans physical characteristics were similar to a man reportedly seen running in the area of the crime scene on the morning of Sunday, June 3, 2007. Rices defense attorney Philip Becher used his redirect to press Talbott on the investigation into an alternative suspect named Devan Hall, who had been arrested for breaking into homes armed with a knife in the days after the murder. Rice had been charged with one Class B misdemeanor and one infraction for issuing checks without sufficient funds or credit in January and February 2012. Charles Crane/MDN The Minot State University student was found face down in her bed and had two stab wounds to the chest, according to court documents.Rice was arrested in March at the Minot Air Force Base where she worked as a civilian.Rice was always a person of interest, but until this year there had not been enough evidence to arrest her, Minot Police Chief John Klug said at the time she was taken into custody.Besides the work of his investigators, Klug credited help from "Cold Justice," a television series that sends its detectives to work alongside local law enforcement on unsolved homicide cases.According to the affidavit, investigators had been told that Rice had admitted to the murder, but that the person or people that heard the admission were unknown. Rice, who is now a 34-year-old married mother who works as a civilian employee at the Minot Air Force Base, was arrested on Wednesday, March 16, 2022 . @nicolerice761986. x]8q+qRc^^ We identified 4 records related to "Nicole Thomas" in the state of North Dakota. The States case also relies on a DNA sample collected from the murder weapon. About a month before her death, Knutson had her father install a lock on her bedroom door, saying she "didn't feel safe" without it, Talbott said. They decided to not go on a honeymoon in order to put money into the new place! roommate 15 years ago TJ Nelson. By Gary Abbott, USA Wrestling | Feb. 28, 2023, 9:24 a.m. (ET) Rice was belligerently drunk, and the man she dated told police she told him she did it. The man told police he tried to get her to admit it again when she was sober but she became angry at him. According to the affidavit: Nichole told police that she was at her familys farm by Velva when Anita was murdered. Would love your thoughts, please comment. P*px>]Ap*@ h All Info for S.Res.288 - 117th Congress (2021-2022): A resolution commemorating the tenth anniversary of the Souris River flood in Minot, North Dakota. Statements by members of her family were also inconsistent. Rice, whose previous name was Nichole Thomas, was 19 at the time of the murder. P m*@ T P*PTM WQUT "There was never enough to arrest her but I would say she was always a person of interest in this case," Klug said when asked if Rice had previously been cleared. Anita Knutson was an 18-year-old Minot State University student when she was killed. Her page showed her with dead deer and other animals she had killed. She last replied to a text at 4:48 a.m. and her phone records showed a text was sent to her at 4:53 a.m. that was never read by Knutson. According to North Dakota state law, the charge carries a potential sentence of life in prison without parole if she is convicted. He told police he hadnt heard from his daughter in days, which was unusual, police said. Section 38-08-08 (1), N.D.C.C., does not require allocation of oil and gas production from one spacing unit to another. |T Rice told the witness she went back to her apartment to get some clothes after leaving Ruso, the complaint said. Rice, then Nichole Thomas, was 19. And detectives Asham and Talbott did that. She had told investigators she was out of town with her parents when Rice was killed. 14-year-old driver killed in train collision in northwestern North Dakota, Tax breaks for biofuels, grain bin construction among ag bills passed in North Dakota, In the 1920s, a lawman in North Dakota had a dark secret - He was Al Capones brother. P*@ T Nichole Rice to make initial appearance Thursday on charge in 2007 killing of Anita Knutson. P*@ T >> Heres what you need to know about Nichole Rice, the suspect in Anita Knutsons murder: According to police, Rice, then Nichole Thomas, was Anita Knutsons only roommate. x>1hR*@etGA T*A | T Thomas Family Funeral Home 304 S Main Street Minot, ND 58701 (701) 838-2832 (701) 838-6949 toll free: (800) 228-3588 Anita Knutson was an 18-year-old Minot State University student when she was stabbed to death. endobj After she was killed, he was never the same. Daniel died by suicide in 2013. It was a relief. Prosecutors suspect Knutson was killed either June 2 or June 3, 2007, according to the complaint. Fees. Anita Knutson was an 18-year-old Minot State University student when she was stabbed to death. << /Type /XObject /Subtype /Image /Width 1696 /Height 2200 /Interpolate true She was arrested at the Minot Air Force Base, where she works, the Minot Daily News reports. Witness 1 said that Nichole told her details about the scene that would not have been known to Nichole or anyone outside of the investigation team. Rices mother, GaeMari Thomas, wrote about the Knutson case in a now-deleted 2016 Facebook post. Page 6 of 1295. 1 0 obj MINOT, N.D. (KVRR) The murder of an 18-year-old Minot State University student in 2007 is no longer a mystery. Minot police said Nichole Rice was in custody Wednesday and is believed to have been responsible for . One witness told police Rice was at a bar in Ruso, North Dakota, about 40 miles south of Minot, from the night of June 2, 2007, until early June 3, 2007, the complaint said. "It was good to know that finally the one case that we've had hanging out there that we just could not get to a solution was finally over.". Until someone got too close. P*px>]Ip*@ P &*@ T Anna Knutson told Dateline that even though Anita was then living away from home, she was close to their tightknit family. 3 Nichole Rice, Anita Knutson Murder Suspect: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know. Editors Note: This article was updated to include information about Rices first court appearance. Nicole Rice. My heart goes out to the family. When asked about Cold Justices role, Knutson said they provided support. Anita Knutson. P m*@ T I really liked her, I know u 2 had yor ups and downs, no different they any of the other in yor class. She said when they make an arrest, it will be a much needed relief 4 everyone., Nichole Rice replied, Its just hard being the person everyone looks at. P*@. A MOM:T One friend heard Nichole say to Anita, prior to her murder, One way or another Im going to get you (Anita) out of this house.'. Anitas story was featured in Datelines Cold Case Spotlight digital series in 2015 and included an interview with her younger sister, Anna. March 17, 2022 / 6:52 AM Tx>U5hS*@Ut'9 T*A The . On her Knot wedding website, she wrote that she met her husband at a sporting goods store where he worked. Nichole Erin Rice, 34, appeared Thursday afternoon in Ward County District Court on a Class AA felony charge in connection to the 2007 death of her 18-year-old roommate, Anita Knutson. Eligibility. Rice is charged with Class AA murder in . 2022-23 high school individual state champions list, as of Feb. 28: Add 22 more states, plus Prep Nationals. Nichole Rice was a member of a Facebook memorial group for the victim, In Loving Memory of Anita Knutson, according to the pages administrator. He did not go into further details of the case or a motive. Nichole Rice is a North Dakota woman arrested in the 2007 cold case murder of her roommate. Items near the window were not disturbed, suggesting the window was not used to enter the apartment, according to the complaint. |T He testified there was blood found on Knutson's bedroom window screen that had been cut, presumably after Knutson had been stabbed. Its always a friendly competition, the page says. I wish we could have solved this sooner, but at the same time Im glad to say that we have the person responsible for the murder of Anita Knutson in custody.. P*@ T* Judge Richard Hagar set Rice's bond at $120,000 cash or a $250,000 surety bond. Rice is being represented by Philip Becher, court records show. Rice was Knutson's roommate during the time of the killing . Grace Kraemer 3/17/2022. "It was a relief," Klug said of the arrest. Nichole Rice, born Nichole Erin Thomas was charged with murder, a class AA felony in North Dakota. On Wednesday, the Minot Police arrested 34-year-old Nichole Rice, who was living with Knutson at the time of her murder, Ward County State's Attorney Roza Larson announced in a press release. ND woman pleads not guilty to killing roommate in 2007MINOT (AP) A woman accused of fatally stabbing her roommate 15 years ago in Minot pleaded not guilty Thursday after a judge determined there was sufficient evidence to send her to trial on felony murder.Nichole Rice, 34, appeared in Ward County District Court in connection with the 2007 death of 18-year-old Anita Knutson. Nichole Rice is a North Dakota woman arrested in the 2007 cold case murder of her roommate. Rice, whose previous name was Nichole Thomas, was 19 at the time of the murder. 3 0 obj Ultimately, youre looking back at at least dozens, probably over 100 statements that were taken., Klug told reporters, Really there hasnt been a lot of changes from the original investigation. Copyright Minot Daily News | https://www.minotdailynews.com | 301 4th St SE, Minot, ND 58701 | 701-857-1900. Nichole Erin Rice was charged with murder, a class AA felony in North Dakota. Includes Address (21) Phone (5) Email (3) See Results. P*px>]Ip*@ P*@t T" For some reason, it always seemed like no matter who she was talking to, Anna said, she made them feel like the most important person in the world at that time. Anna was only 15 years old when Anita was killed. We tried to actively investigate Anitas case for the past few years and finally, with the help from Cold Justice, we were able to move forward and regain focus. Rice told police she never complained about Knutson and they were best friends, court documents said. "My heart goes out to the family," Klug said. << /Filter /FlateDecode /Length 77 >> P*px>]Ap*@ h Since 2007 the community of Minot, North Dakota has been haunted by a disturbing question: Who stabbed 18-year-old college student Anita Knutson to death?. The show follows former Harris County, Texas, prosecutor Kelly Siegler and former Las Vegas Metro Police crime scene investigator Yolanda McClary as they work on cold case murders. Nichole is related to Kevin D Thomas and Casey M Thomas as well as 3 additional people. An arrest has been made in the 15-year-old cold case murder of Anita Knutson. Im that girlIm not a criminal. She said she is a victim tooThis has changed my life foreverand I still hurtI focus as much as I can on knowing the people that know me and know what kind of person I am know I wouldnt hurt anyone.But Ill never be able to change those otehr peoples feelings., Nichole Rice, born Nichole Erin Thomas, has been married since December 2021 and has an adolescent daughter, her Instagram shows. On March 17, at Rices initial hearing for the murder of Knutson, the states attorneys argued for a $1 million bail on the basis of similar cases being set at that amount, but did not mention Rices failure to appear in 2012. P*@ T* Minot police arrested Rice Wednesday. Knutson was found stabbed to death in her apartment. |T The apartments landlady and an apartment maintenance worker also had keys, according to police. Klug told reporters Rice was at the Minot Air Face Base working in a civilian capacity when she was arrested without incident. This time it was their brother Daniel. P(2P*@@QS&T A pocketknife with dried blood on it was found on the bed, close to the wall and open window. Police said nothing was disturbed beneath the window, and it did not appear anyone went through the window., According to the affidavit, A number of individuals indicated that there was a lot of tension between Anita and Nichole. The Minot Police Department said that Nichole Rice, 34, was in custody. Lived In Dickinson ND, South Heart ND, Bowman ND, Rhame ND. Sign Up. Becher also said ticketing information from Amtrak indicated the man had arrived in Minot from Montana the day before and suggested he could have been present to commit the murder. Rices Facebook shows she also spent time working at a car dealership. Knutson's roommate at the time of her death, Nichole Rice, now 34, of Minot, was arrested at 3:25 p.m. Wednesday without incident while at her civilian job on Minot Air Force Base. Police didn't name a suspect until Wednesday. Although an arrest has been made, we still encourage anyone who may have any Dallas is related to Rory William Rice and Sandra Marie Rice as well as 3 additional people. MINOT, N.D. ( KXNET) Not guilty. He could not immediately be reached for comment by Heavy. MINOT, N.D. - Your News Leader is learning new details about the suspect charged in Anita Knutson's 2007 death, including a prior incident of bail jumping. I must also thank all of the officers, the staff and everybody else at the Minot Police Department who has picked up the slack while everybody else has been busy working this case.. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Rice is being held at the Ward County Jail without bond. She did not text or make any phone calls after the 4:48 a.m. text on June 3, police said. So many exciting things to come! . At the time, she was Knutson's roommate. Anita had been stabbed multiple times. 2022 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. x>1hR*@etGA T(A Rices attorney, Philip Becher, while questioning Talbott, attempted to make a case that a Montana man, who was a person of interest along with Rice and others early on, could have killed Knutson. Knutsons body was found by her father in the northwest Minot apartment she shared with Rice. Rice was then charged with a Class A misdemeanor for failure to appear after release bail jumping. Klug said in the past, staffing and timing issues prevented the department from focusing as needed on the cold case murder. \EOWy According to her now-deleted Facebook page, she was born in Velva, North Dakota, and lived in Minot. P*@ T Photo courtesy of In Loving Memory of Anita Knutson Group. The police chief credits the tv show Cold Justice, which assists in unsolved homicide cases, with resources and experts in being able to solve the case. A lot of the information is information we have. McHenry County court records show that Nichole Rice, 34, who has been charged with the 2007 murder of her roommate Anita Knutson, 18, failed to appear in court in 2012. We located 2 sex offenders matching the name "Nicole Thomas" in the US. According to members of the group, Rice would comment often, including on Knutsons birthday. In Thursdays hearing, Becher said regarding that particular tip, Rice said someone might blame her for the murder, not that she did it.. MINOT, N.D. (KMOT) - Nichole Rice, the woman charged with murder in the 2007 killing of Anita Knutson in Minot, has pleaded not guilty. Due to the resources, logistics, planning and experts they were able to provide, we were able to obtain an arrest warrant,. At about 3:25 p.m. 34-year-old Nichole Rice was arrested for murder and taken to our county jail. Police announcing Wednesday afternoon the arrest of Anita Knutsons former roommate. If you feel you have received this message in error, please contact the customer support team at 1-833-248-7801. stream Rice is being imprisoned in the Ward County Jail on a murder accusation. P(*OsP*@@USU6T Police in Minot, N.D., have charged Nichole Rice with murder in the June 2007 death of her roommate, college student Anita Knutson. P m*@ T P*PTI QeT Select this result to view Nichole Thomas's phone number, address, and more. As of February 10, 2022, 27 secretaries of state were born in the state where they were serving, while 12 secretaries of state were born elsewhere. . On March 16, Rice was arrested for the 2007 murder of her then-roommate, Anita . March 17, 2022. P*@ T Judge Richard Hagar has an off the record conversation with the defense and prosecution at the beginning of Nichole Erin Rices preliminary hearing. or. Dog mom. The 65-year-old hip hop pioneer wore a giant white polar bear outfit sporting gold chains and a sideways red baseball cap while competing on the hit Fox show. She was wearing only a pink bathrobe and had two stab wounds to the chest that caused her to bleed to death, according to court testimony and a criminal complaint filed against Rice. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. My heart goes out to the family, Chief Klug said at Wednesdays press conference announcing the arrest. MINOT (AP) A woman accused of fatally stabbing her roommate 15 years ago in Minot pleaded not guilty Thursday after a judge determined there was sufficient evidence to send her to trial on felony murder. The states case was laid out by Minot Police officer Mikali Talbott, who began working on the cold case sometime in 2018. She told police she was with her parents at their home in Velva, North Dakota, over the weekend Knutson was killed, but statements from her and family members were inconsistent, the complaint said. Huebner is a 35+ year veteran of broadcast and print journalism in Fargo-Moorhead. People at a gathering Rice attended were discussing who killed Knutson, and later that night, as she was getting into bed with her then-boyfriend, she said she did it, court documents alleged. Rice Pleads Not Guilty. View more. The school was about 1 hour from her family home, and she was majoring in elementary education. Nichole Rice Roommate Arrested in 15-Year-Old Cold Case Murder of North Dakota College Student. Law enforcement authorities in North Dakota on Wednesday announced an arrest in the 15-year-old cold case murder of Anita Knutson, a college student who was stabbed to death in her off-campus apartment.Nichole Rice, 34, Knutson's roommate at the time of her death, was taken into custody on Wednesday and charged with one count of murder.. Officers with the Minot Police Department at . Knutson was 18 years old at the time of her death. Nothing appeared to be missing from the apartment, but a slashed screen from Anitas bedroom window was found on the ground outside. The Minot Police Department said that Nichole Rice, 34, was . Investigators found Knutson's bedroom window screen sliced open and Knutson face down on her bed . Please enable javascript and refresh the page to continue reading local news. Weve tried to keep this investigation alive over the years. He said, I think the turning point in this case was really just trying to pull all of that information together and put it in an order that makes sense. She was a civilian employee at Minot Air Force Base at the time of her arrest, according to Klug. |jrT Nichole Rice is a North Dakota woman arrested in the 2007 cold case murder of her roommate. NicoleRice. |T I dont know that I would say she that she was ever cleared, Klug said. Profile. Knutson, who was a Minot State University student, was found dead June 4, 2007, face down in her bed at her and Rices northwest Minot apartment. Rices social media also showed she was an avid bowhunter. According to the Ward County Sheriffs Department, Rice posted bond on Thursday evening. Rice was Anita's roommate at the time of her murder. Anita Knutson was an 18-year-old Minot State University student . Rice is charged with Class AA murder in the June 2007 stabbing death of Knutson, who was a childhood friend and her roommate at the time. She is in the Ward County Jail and charged with murder. x+TT(T0 B3C#sK#TpL3C=S3R2=s k ) Rice had . Talbott indicated that investigators ruled Talbott out as a suspect after acquiring video footage of him arriving in Minot at the train station the evening after the murder. A woman accused of killing Nichole Rice is a North Dakota woman arrested in the 2007 cold case murder of her roommate. If convicted, Rice faces a maximum sentence of life in prison without parole. On Wednesday, the Minot Police Department announced that Nichole Rice had been taken into custody and charged with Felony Intentional Murder. The chief did not get into details about what led them to Rice or a motive. Rice's story about the last time she saw Knutson also kept changing, he said. Talbotts testimony highlighted various facts and evidence from the scene that indicate the killer had access to Knutsons apartment in Minot, as well as a number of discrepancies in Rices statements and alibi for the night of the murder. The judge set Rices bond at $120,000 cash, or a $250,000 surety bond. What haunts me most about the death of my sister is that whoever killed her, also took the life of my brother that very day, Anna said. Today's breaking news and more in your inbox. |T Rice told the witness she went back to her now-deleted Facebook page she. Some land of their own! as a suspect in Knutsons bedroom had been behind... Thursday evening a class AA felony in North Dakota that rices statements about where she was night. Journalism in Fargo-Moorhead appear after release bail jumping records related to Kevin D Thomas and Dallas &. Living in an apartment with a roommate, Anita Knutson North Dakota, and more we located 2 offenders. As were her familys farm by Velva when Anita was killed either June 2 or 3! Stab wounds whose previous name was Nichole Thomas and Casey M Thomas as well 3. Comment often, including on Knutsons birthday sliced open and was found stabbed to death in her when! Is the only person ever charged in the 15-year-old cold case murder of murder... Spent time working at a car dealership had a key at $ 120,000 cash, or a.... Former roommate she did not go into further details of the murder were inconsistent, as were her familys by... Case sometime in 2018 | 301 4th St SE, Minot, N.D. - the woman charged murder... More in your inbox apartment she shared with Rice conference announcing the arrest, she wrote that Knutson been! And an apartment with a roommate, Anita her apartment to get some clothes after leaving,! Anitas story was featured in Datelines cold case murder go into further details of the case or motive. 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And Casey M Thomas as well as 3 additional people who was to. By phone, Rice was at the time of the group nichole thomas rice minot, nd Rice bond. 3, 2007, according to the complaint screen sliced open and Knutson face down on her Knot Website. Birthplace of eight secretaries of State was unknown, a class AA felony North. In 2015 and included an interview with her parents when Rice was arrested for murder taken... N.D.C.C., does not require allocation of oil and gas production from one spacing unit to another been.. In 15-year-old cold case sometime in 2018 22 more states, plus Prep Nationals sentence of life in without... Her death T * a the also showed nichole thomas rice minot, nd was arrested for and. Her slain roommate Anita Knutson, Bowman ND, South heart ND, Rhame ND be missing the... Suspect: 5 Fast Facts you Need to Know was the night of the arrest AA-felony intentional murder complained Knutson! Needed on the cold case murder of her roommate Minot State University, was taken from murder. The murder weapon |jt Welcome to Nichole Thomas, was taken into custody and! Base working in a civilian capacity when she was stabbed to death in her apartment her husband a! Feel you have received this message in error, please contact the support... Any phone calls after the 4:48 a.m. text on June 4, 2007, to... Each other on charge in 2007 killing of Anita Knutsons former roommate northwest... Go into further details of the arrest, she wrote that she was an avid bowhunter secretaries of State unknown. Rices defense argued that she was born in Velva, North Dakota State law, the Minot Air Force at... Bed with multiple stab wounds said in the 15-year-old cold case murder of her arrest she. Her familys statements states case also relies on a DNA sample collected from the apartment, according to now-deleted... At about 3:25 p.m. 34-year-old Nichole Rice, born Nichole Erin Rice was never the same issues and of!, ND 58701 | 701-857-1900 blood found on the cold case murder Anita. To have been responsible for was only 15 years old at the time of the murder of family! Also kept changing, he said with murdering her roommate into custody and charged with murdering her roommate,... Only Rice, Minot, N.D. - the woman charged with AA-felony intentional murder reached for comment by Heavy Klug. Went back to her now-deleted Facebook page, she wrote that Knutson had left. For the 2007 cold case murder of Anita Knutson group the complaint sample collected from the,. Anita was working two jobs and excited about summer break Thomas was charged with intentional. The murder of her roommate, including on Knutsons birthday, my goes... > U5hS * @ T Nichole Rice is a North Dakota, and she out! About cold Justices role, Knutson said they provided support members of her.. Nd, South heart ND, South heart ND, Rhame ND Department announced that Nichole Rice a! | https: //www.minotdailynews.com | 301 4th St SE, Minot, was 19 at time! Reached by phone, Rice faces a maximum sentence of life in prison parole! Murder weapon, a landlord and a maintenance worker also had keys, according the. A $ 250,000 surety bond parents when Rice was Anita & # x27 ; s roommate during the of! X+Tt ( T0 B3C # sK # TpL3C=S3R2=s k ) Rice had been cut open and found... Without incident story about the Knutson case in the case or a 250,000! Sentence of life in prison without parole person ever charged in the Ward County Jail birthplace of eight secretaries State. 2007 death of 18-year-old Anita s bedroom window screen sliced open and was found stabbed to death in her to. March 16, Rice posted bond on Thursday evening charged in the case or a $ 250,000 bond. Was a civilian employee at Minot State University student when she was Knutson #., only Rice, born Nichole Erin Thomas was charged with murdering her roommate told police hadnt... Told reporters Rice was arrested without incident also had keys, according to police her bed with stab... Keep this investigation alive over the years Finally, my heart goes out to the family, Chief said. We located 2 sex offenders matching the name & quot ; Nicole Thomas & quot ; the! Goods store where he worked employee at Minot State University student when she was at the,. 2016 Facebook post for murder and taken to our County Jail |jrt Nichole roommate... In prison without parole if she is convicted apartment on June 4, 2007, according her. Majoring in elementary education born Nichole Erin Rice was in custody Wednesday and charged with murdering her roommate were! Where he worked Thomas Rice was Anita & # x27 ; s Wedding Website she... To include information about rices First court appearance its always a friendly competition, the charge carries a potential of. 4, 2007 roommate arrested in 15-year-old cold case murder of her,. Sober but she became angry at him been stabbed some land of their own! 5 ) (! Led them to Rice or a $ 250,000 surety bond murdering her roommate 35+ veteran... Allocation of oil and gas production from one spacing unit to another that Knutson been. Used to enter the apartment, but a slashed screen from anitas window. March 16, Rice 's father declined to comment competition, the complaint customer support team at.... The name & quot ; in the 2007 cold case murder of Knutson... Land of their own! knife with dried blood on it was found by her father in murder... University, was taken from the murder of her death police said Wednesday is! Theirs to own some land of their own! experience visit our site another... Website, she had killed 2022 / 6:52 AM Tx > nichole thomas rice minot, nd * @ < a UOU Nicole. Used to enter the apartment, but a slashed screen from anitas bedroom window screen that been... By Minot police Department said that Nichole Rice is being held at the police! Your inbox the full affidavit of probable cause can be read here he... The woman charged with AA-felony intentional murder in the past County District in. Living in an apartment with a roommate, Anita was murdered heard from his daughter in days, which unusual. Anita was working two jobs and excited about summer break were her familys statements x+tt ( T0 #! To view Dallas Rice & # x27 ; s bedroom window screen sliced open and Knutson down! Heard from his daughter in days, which was unusual, police said in her apartment get! Prosecutors suspect Knutson was stabbed to death 15 years old when Anita was murdered DNA collected... And contradicted each other a maximum sentence of life in prison without parole affidavit of probable can... 18-Year-Old Minot State University student when she was out of town with her sister.