Man wrapped his girlfriend’s legs with an extension cord because he was afraid she would call 911 before beating and strangling her to death; charged
Minnesota – In a harrowing incident in Minnesota, a 35-year-old man, identified as J. Benson, has been charged with the murder of his girlfriend, whom he beat and strangled to death after wrapping her legs with an extension cord in a home where he was housesitting. Benson is facing a second-degree murder charge following the death of his 38-year-old girlfriend, identified as S. Koehne.
The case came to light on November 2, 2024, when deputies from the sheriff’s office were dispatched to a residence following a call about a domestic assault. The caller, who owned the home and was vacationing in Florida, reported that Benson, who was housesitting, had sent her a message confessing to killing Koehne.
Upon arrival, law enforcement found Benson with visible abrasions on his arms and scratches on his face. He chillingly informed the deputies, “There’s a dead body upstairs.” They found Koehne unresponsive on the bathroom floor, her body showing signs of a violent struggle, including marks around her throat and traces of blood in her ear and hair. An autopsy later confirmed the cause of Koehne’s death as “probable asphyxia” and ruled it homicide.
The homeowner told investigators that she had asked Benson to take care of her house and pets while she was away. She was in regular contact with Benson via Snapchat, aware that Koehne was also staying at the house. On the day of the incident, Benson informed the homeowner that he and Koehne were arguing and that she was trying to leave. The homeowner’s response, urging Benson to “get this taken care of,” was followed by a grim update from Benson twenty minutes later, simply stating, “She is gone.”
Benson wrapped Koehne’s legs with an extension cord, fearing that she might attract police attention by screaming out of an open window, and ominously added, “I can’t go back to prison,” referencing his prior conviction for felony burglary in 2009. Koehne was then strangled and beaten to death.
Further investigation revealed a video on Benson’s phone, capturing an argument between him and Koehne earlier on the day of her death. The video showed Koehne with facial bruises, pleading with Benson to stop hurting her and desperately asking him to call 911. Despite her pleas, Benson continued to film, accusing her of trying to break in. Text messages sent by Benson to his ex-wife after the incident hinted at the gravity of the situation, with Benson stating he needed a friend because “something happened” and describing it as “atomically bad.”
Benson was arrested and is being held at the county’s jail with a bond set at $100,000. He awaits his next court appearance on December 10, facing a serious charge that reflects the horrific nature of the crime. The community and the victim’s family are left reeling from a senseless act of violence that claimed the life of a woman described by those who knew her as kind and loving. This tragic case underscores the devastating impact of domestic violence and the importance of addressing signs of abuse before they escalate to irreparable consequences.
