Naman Shrestha
The seemingly pleasant summer of 2007 turned out to be a nerve-racking one for the community of Minot in North Dakota as 18-year-old Anita Knutson turned up dead in her apartment under mysterious circumstances. Her loved ones, on the other hand, were devastated and demanded justice for the deceased. The episode titled ‘Murder in Minot’ of NBC’s ‘Dateline’ delves deep into the complicated case and the years-long investigation that ensued. Apart from featuring interviews with Anita’s family and friends, the officials linked to the investigation also make an appearance in the documentary.
Anita Knutson Was a Kindhearted Individual With a Bright Future Ahead of Her
Anita May Knutson came into this world on September 22, 1988, in Orange County, California. She never knew her biological mother and father, but she found a loving home in Gordon and Sharon Knutson (nee Fellows), who adopted her sometime in February 1989. She filled their lives with immense joy, and the pair embraced their eldest daughter with open arms. Over the years, the Knutson family grew and welcomed several kids into their warm household in Anaheim, California. Anita was raised under the love and care of her parents and supportive siblings, comprising sisters — Anna Knutson, Evelyn Vargas, Pamela Hagland, and Patti Knutson — and brothers — Daniel Knutson, David Vargas, Gary Knutson, Mark Knutson, Richard Hickle, and Chris O’Reilly.
Growing up, Anita was a bright kid with big dreams. She kicked off her education at Glenknoll Elementary, followed by Bernardo Yorbo Middle School, and attended Esperanza High School through her freshman year. While just in eighth grade, she showed immense brilliance when she not only penned but also published a book. The Knutsons relocated to North Dakota in June 2002 and settled in the city of Butte in McLean County. There, she enrolled in Velva High School, where she showcased sharp leadership skills.
She garnered acclaim for her work as a member of the student organizations such as Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) and Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA). While she was recognized by the state and nation for a Drug Awareness-related work as part of the former, the teenager served as the Vice President of the latter in her junior year. In addition to that, Anita was also selected for the Girls State program. She put her athletic abilities on display in sports such as soccer and also exhibited a knack for playing instruments such as the violin and piano.
Anita Knutson’s Father Found Her Deceased in Her Apartment
In the year 2006, she made her family proud by graduating with honors. Anita had high hopes for the future and desired to fulfill all her goals. With a hopeful intent, she enrolled herself at Minot State University, pursuing a major in Elementary Education. The first-year college student also worked on the side to gain independence. Alongside serving as a housekeeper at the Fairfield Inn, she was employed in the retail sales department at a Vanity store in Dakota Square Mall — both in Minot. A member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, the 18-year-old was a free-spirited individual who was adored by many for her infectious smile, kindhearted nature, and compassion for others. On June 2, 2007, when Anita did not turn up to work at the Fairfield Inn, it raised some concern among her co-workers.
The following day, no one heard from her again. Worried about his daughter’s well-being and whereabouts, Gordon drove down to her apartment at 2420 4th Street Northwest in Minot on June 4. Her car was parked outside the property, but when he knocked on the door, nobody opened up. When the apartment manager unlocked the door with a spare key, he entered Anita’s house, only to find her dead on the bed in her room. Upon the arrival of the police, it was discovered that she had died on June 3, 2007, from multiple stab wounds to the chest. While inspecting the crime scene, they found the potential murder weapon — a small pocket knife. Confirming that her death was a homicide, the detectives launched an investigation.
Detectives Found a Break in Anita’s Murder Investigation After Several Years
Despite the best efforts of law enforcement, they could not zero in on any specific suspect due to a lack of evidence. One of the tips led them to a mysterious man who was spotted running near Anita Knutson’s apartment on the morning of June 3, 2007. But questioning him led them nowhere. Her roommate at the time, Nichole Rice, was also interviewed by the police. She claimed that she was at the farm of her parents, Gay and Kevin Thomas — which is around 20 miles away from the apartment — on the weekend of the murder. Even after conducting multiple interviews in the days following the murder, the investigators had nothing to show for it, as almost everything led them to a dead end.
In July 2007, around $20,000 was offered in total as a reward fund for anyone who brought valuable information leading to the arrest of the perpetrator behind Anita’s murder. After a few years, the case was officially declared cold, and the investigation was halted. In response, Anita’s family spearheaded a petition in September 2015, demanding that the authorities make more efforts to bring the killer to justice. Out of all the suspects they had questioned, Nichole’s inconsistent statements during her interrogation stood out to the detectives. Moreover, her former boyfriend also alleged that she had confessed to the crime while in a drunken state during parties between 2008 and 2009. On top of that, mutual friends of Anita and Nichole claimed that although they shared the apartment, they had a volatile friendship.
The Suspected Killer Was Acquitted After Nearly a Week-long Trial
After gathering enough evidence against Anita’s roommate, the police finally arrested 34-year-old Nichole Rice without incident on March 16, 2022, at her workplace on Minot Air Force Base. Charged with Class AA felony murder in connection with Anita Knutson’s stabbing death, she was held up at the Ward County Jail, with her bond set at $120,000 cash or a $250,000 surety bond. After multiple delays, her trial began on March 18, 2025. The prosecution emphasized the strained friendship Nichole shared with Anita Knutson at the time of the crime. They also presented Nichole’s allegedly drunken confessions as evidence to the court. Meanwhile, the defense argued that she had a concrete alibi and tried to shift the focus to other potential suspects that the authorities questioned.
To sway the jury in their favor, the prosecution also called Anita’s adoptive mother to the stand. She testified that her daughter and Nichole did not belong to the same friend group. She claimed that Anita was also sort of scared of her roommate, so she even installed a lock on her bedroom door. After taking into consideration the arguments of both sides, the jury deliberated and returned with a final verdict. On March 26, 2025, Nichole Rice was found not guilty and acquitted of the murder of Anita Knutson.
Read More: Where is Nichole Rice Now? Update on Anita Knutson’s Former Roommate
