Tabitha Renee Justice, 46, was found shot to death at an abandoned property in Jordan, Minnesota, on January 28, 2025. Her boyfriend, John Joseph "Nico" Peterson, 41, was charged with second-degree murder. Justice had been reported missing earlier that day. Court documents describe Peterson as controlling and physically aggressive, having kicked Justice out but continued to follow her. Evidence including shell casings and fingerprints linked Peterson to the crime scene. He was arrested in April for probation violation with a handgun matching the murder weapon found in his possession. The case remains pending.
Country: United States
State/Province: Minnesota, United States
City/Region: Jordan
Incident Type: Domestic Violence Homicide
Relationship Status: Dating
Relationship Duration:
Incident Date: Jan. 28, 2025
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How the relationship or connection began.
Important relationship phases recorded for this case.
Reported red flags or early concern points.
Contributing factors and possible motives from the available sources.
2025-01-28
Recorded relationship or case outcome.
English labels are shown first. Original-language titles are preserved for source verification.
Original language: English
Man charged with murder after woman found shot to death on abandoned Jordan property
Domestic Violence
The case involves a controlling and physically aggressive boyfriend who had recently expelled the victim from their shared residence but continued to follow her. The escalation culminated in the victim being fatally shot. Evidence links the suspect directly to the crime scene and weapon. The relationship dynamic shows patterns of coercive control and domestic conflict leading to lethal violence.
The suspect was charged with second-degree murder after forensic evidence including matching shell casings and fingerprints on the murder weapon linked him to the crime. He was arrested for probation violation in April with the firearm found in his possession. The victim had been reported missing the day of the incident. The investigation remains ongoing.
No significant confusion reported; suspect identification and evidence linkage appear clear. Some uncertainty remains about the exact timeline of events leading to the homicide.
The victim was reported missing on January 28, 2025. Her body was found the same day at an abandoned property in Jordan, MN, with a gunshot wound to the head. The suspect, Peterson, had a history of controlling and aggressive behavior toward the victim and had expelled her from their shared residence. He was interviewed and claimed a 'friends with benefits' relationship and last saw her days before Christmas. Evidence recovered from his possession matched the murder weapon and shell casings at the scene. He was arrested in April for probation violation and charged with murder in May.
High risk due to controlling behavior, physical aggression, firearm access, and escalation to lethal violence.
Controlling and aggressive behavior in intimate relationships can escalate to lethal violence, especially when firearms are accessible. Early intervention and monitoring of red flags such as expulsion from shared residence and stalking behaviors are critical. Forensic evidence plays a key role in linking suspects to crimes in domestic violence homicides.
Controlling and physically aggressive behavior, victim being kicked out of shared residence, suspect following victim, and firearm possession.
Matching shell casings at the scene and in suspect's luggage, fingerprints on the murder weapon, witness statements about suspect's behavior.
Forensic evidence including shell casings and fingerprints, witness interviews, suspect's possession of matching firearm.
Friends reported victim was living with suspect before being kicked out; witness stated suspect moved back to parents' home 'until **** cools down'.
Follow-up reports confirmed suspect's arrest and charge with second-degree murder; forensic evidence linked suspect to crime scene; no contradictory information reported.
Exact motive details and full timeline of events leading to the homicide remain unclear.