Suvechha Sarkar
Buck and Joy Blodgett had always been proud of their beloved daughter, Jessie Marietta Blodgett. They had always expected her to achieve significant milestones in her life. However, their dreams were shattered when their 19-year-old daughter was brutally killed in her home in Hartford, Wisconsin. The tragic case comes into focus on ABC’s ’20/20: Her Last Note,’ revisiting the events leading up to Jessie’s death and the crucial clues that led investigators to the killer, Daniel Bartelt. Through interviews, personal accounts, and a careful reconstruction of the timeline, the episode also sheds light on the profound emotional toll on those left behind.
Buck and Joy Blodgett’s Happy Family Was Shattered When Jessie Was Killed
On March 22, 1994, Buck and Joy Blodgett welcomed their daughter, Jessie Marietta Blodgett, into the world. From her childhood, they always showered Jessie with immense love and affection. As Jessie went on to pursue higher education in music at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Buck and Joy’s pride knew no bounds. They also supported her in her advocacy to end violence against women, raising awareness about animal rights, and many other causes. However, Buck and Joy’s world turned upside down on July 15, 2013, when Joy discovered Jessie lying on her bed unresponsive around 12 pm. Unfortunately, Jessie was declared dead by the first responders on the scene. According to reports, a quick investigation soon led investigators to a suspect, Daniel Bartelt.
Daniel was arrested on July 17, 2013, for another case of assault, which occurred at a park near Jessie’s home. He was charged with false imprisonment, first-degree attempted homicide, and first-degree recklessly endangering safety for that case. According to court records, detectives discovered items like sanitizing wipes, ropes, and tapes containing both Jessie and Daniel’s DNA from that very same park. Further reports suggest that it was eventually revealed they had dated once in high school and later reconnected, becoming friends. Ultimately, on August 1, 2013, Daniel was charged with first-degree intentional homicide. After a jury trial, he was found guilty of Jessie’s murder in August 2014. Daniel received a life sentence without the possibility of parole in October 2014.
For the remaining charges, Daniel was sentenced to 5 years in prison, with 5 years of extended supervision, to run consecutively to his life imprisonment sentence. During his sentencing, Buck gathered the courage as he said, “Dan, I forgive you. I not only forgive you, I love you.” As Buck elaborated on that statement later, he noted, “I didn’t mean it like I like him, like I want to hang out and watch Packer games, but like a willful act of what I want to bring to this world, which is the opposite of what he brought in and took out of this world.” On the other hand, Joy recalls how Jessie had told her one night that rape should be stopped, to which Joy answered, “I said ‘Well, we’re not going to solve it tonight.’ You don’t know how to answer that question when your daughter says that.” To this day, the pain of losing their loving daughter has left a gaping hole in their hearts.
Buck and Joy Transformed Their Pain Into a Mission Rooted in Love and Forgiveness
Before the horrific tragedy altered the trajectory of their lives, Buck and Joy Blodgett had been building a unique path for themselves. Buck graduated from Wauwatosa East High School before pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences at UW-Stevens Point. After attaining his degree in 1982, he completed his Chiropractic studies at Life University in 1995. His professional life began in October 2007, when he opened his own chiropractic clinic, The Chiropractic & Wellness Group, S.C., where he also served as the doctor until April 2023. After the profound loss of his daughter, Buck and Joy also poured their soul into creating The Love > hate Project in January 2014. Through the initiative, they aim to promote unity, compassion, and empowerment within the community.
Currently, the project aims to simultaneously stop interpersonal violence and promote forgiveness among individuals. As of writing, Buck is serving as the initiative’s Executive Director. They have also been holding several programs, including media outreach, a prison program, and the Jessie Blodgett Music Scholarship Program, which helps further Jessie’s dream of reaching the world with her music. Similarly, Buck has been working diligently to amplify the voice of several survivors by sharing their stories. Unlike Buck, Joy has stepped back from her career and finally decided to retire in October 2023. However, she has now taken up quilting, often showcasing her techniques through intricate stitches and donating them for the greater cause.
Related
Buck and Joy Remain Each Other’s Anchor Through Grief and Healing
Buck and Joy’s personal story had always been full of love from the moment they first crossed paths. Eventually, their relationship blossomed, and they tied the knot in November 1985, in the presence of their family and friends. Since then, the pair has remained each other’s rock through every challenge life threw their way. While speaking about how they coped with the loss of Jessie, Buck expressed, “We both decided we would go and lay down in there (Jessie’s bed) every day for the rest of our lives if that’s what it took to move through the feeling horrible when we remembered her to get to the feeling of happy and joyful.”
Aside from that, the couple has gradually gained their faith and often visits the church together. In November 2025, Buck and Joy reached a significant personal milestone, celebrating 40 years of togetherness. While expressing his emotions for his loving wife, in part, Buck wrote, “Your laugh got me 40 years ago, and it still gets me. I love your values too. You’re good, and you’re beautiful. Grateful to God for you and us today and every day. I love you. Thanks for loving me.” Similarly, Joy never misses an opportunity to shower Buck with compliments, as evidenced by her referring to him as “My handsome guy.”
Whenever Buck and Joy want to take a quick break from the overwhelming feeling of life, they go out on romantic dates together or visit amusement parks. In December, they visited Universal Studios: Epic Universe, where they made lifelong memories together. The pair has currently settled down at their residence in The Villages, Florida. In his free time, Buck always enjoys playing golf with his close friends. Yet, despite their gradual healing, both Buck and Joy hold the memories of their dearest daughter close to their heart. The couple honors her memory by revisiting cherished photographs, sharing her story, and dedicating themselves to preserving the values she lived by.
