Shivangi Sinha
In September 2006, friends of Mindy Morgenstern grew worried when she stopped responding to their messages. She had been seen that morning at Valley City State University but hadn’t spoken to anyone after leaving campus. Concerned, two of her friends went to check on her and were horrified to discover her body just inside her apartment door. Although investigators recovered significant DNA evidence at the scene, numerous challenges complicated the investigation. NBC’s ‘Dateline’ episode titled ‘Who Killed Mindy Morgenstern?’ explores the details of the case and the eventual identification of her killer.
Mindy Morgenstern’s Friends Found Her Dead in Her Apartment
Mindy Morgenstern was born on April 29, 1984, in Bogotá, Colombia. She was adopted at a young age by Larry and Eunice Morgenstern and raised in New Salem, Massachusetts. Mindy quickly bonded with her siblings—Michael, Rebecca, and April—and they shared a close-knit childhood on the family farm. Known for her warm and kind nature, she was actively involved in her church and made a lasting impression on everyone she met. Mindy loved helping out and had a special affection for horses. During her time at New Salem High School, she thrived both academically and in extracurricular activities, particularly in track and basketball, which sparked her growing interest in sports.
Mindy’s family was overjoyed when she was accepted into Valley City State University, where she chose to major in Physical Education and continue her involvement in sports. However, during her freshman year, she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS), which prevented her from playing competitively. Despite this setback, her passion for sports remained strong. Drawing on her experience as an assistant basketball coach in high school, she embraced leadership roles and began working as a lifeguard for both the university and the city. As her final semester neared, she was filled with excitement and anticipation for the next chapter of her life.
On the afternoon of September 13, 2006, Mindy was last seen leaving the computer lab at Valley City State University around 12:20 pm. Her apartment in Valley City, North Dakota, was only a short walk from campus, and she headed home, but that would be the last time anyone saw her alive. When she stopped responding to texts, her concerned friends, Toni Baumann and Danielle Holmstrom, went to check on her around 9 pm. They found her apartment door unlocked and, upon entering, discovered her body lying just inside. A cloth belt was wrapped around her neck, and there was a significant amount of blood. Police were called immediately and they declared her dead at the scene. The autopsy determined the cause of death to be a combination of a deep throat wound and asphyxiation. Investigators also noted that Pine-Sol, a cleaning agent, had been poured over her body, likely in an attempt to destroy evidence. There was no evidence of sexual assault.
A DNA Match Helped Police Catch Mindy Morgenstern’s Killer
Mindy Morgenstern’s purse was found next to her body, containing both her keys and some cash, leading police to rule out robbery as a motive. Investigators collected several pieces of evidence from the scene, including two kitchen knives, a pair of gloves, strands of hair found in Mindy’s hand, and DNA samples from under her fingernails. Authorities began canvassing the building, interviewing neighbors and collecting DNA samples to eliminate potential suspects. They also spoke extensively with Mindy’s friends and family to determine if she had any conflicts or enemies. Although a few leads were pursued, all initial suspects were eventually ruled out due to solid alibis.
Just a few weeks after Mindy’s murder, DNA results came back with a major breakthrough. The DNA found under her fingernails matched that of her neighbor, Moe Gibbs. At the time, Gibbs was working as a corrections officer at the Barnes County Jail. He was married and expecting a child. When previously questioned, he told investigators he had been home after working a night shift, then went out to get lunch for his wife and later dropped her off at work. He claimed she had asked him to bring her a beverage around 12:30 pm, which he delivered. However, what shocked investigators further was that his DNA also matched a previously unsolved sexual assault case from 2004 in Fargo, North Dakota. His wife said that even though she had asked him for a drink around 12:30 pm, he had only brought it around 1 pm.
Mindy Morgenstern’s Killer Was Charged With Other Cases of Sexual Assault As Well
As the investigation progressed, police delved deeper into Moe Gibbs’ background and uncovered troubling details. They discovered that he was originally named Glen Dale Morgan Jr. and had changed his name around 2005. Between 1990 and 1999, he had served in the Navy. In January 1994, he was convicted of attempted premeditated murder for his role in a drive-by shooting and served time at Fort Leavenworth prison before being released in April 1998. When brought in for further questioning, Gibbs admitted to being in Mindy’s apartment and claimed he had helped her carry laundry, but insisted he didn’t know her well. Detectives suspected he was fabricating explanations for why his DNA was found inside her apartment and pushed further into his story.
In September 2006, Gibbs was arrested and charged with first-degree murder, despite continuing to deny all allegations. Following his arrest, multiple inmates from the jail where he worked came forward, accusing him of sexual assault. This led to six additional sexual assault charges, as well as one related to the 2004 case in Fargo, North Dakota. His first trial ended in a mistrial, but during the second trial in 2007, he was found guilty of murdering Mindy. Prosecutors argued that he attempted to assault her, and when she resisted, he killed her. Gibbs was sentenced to life in prison, where he remains today.
Read More: Toni Baumann and Danielle Holmstrom: Where Are Mindy Morgenstern’s Friends Now?
