MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — A Chisago County grand jury has indicted 29-year-old Aaron Jude Schnagl on third-degree murder charges in the death of Danielle Jelinek.
Jelinek was 27 years old when she went missing on Dec. 9, 2012. She had reportedly been with Schnagl, her ex-boyfriend, at his Chisago Lake Township residence before she went missing.
Jelinek’s remains were found on May 11 in a small body of water near Schnagl’s home. He’s remained a person of interest in her disappearance since the investigation began.
The indictment means a grand jury determined there is probable cause to believe Schnagl gave Jelinek a controlled substance, reportedly cocaine, which contributed to her death.
The details surrounding the investigation have not been made public. Jelinek’s cousin, Sarah Gould, says only Jelinek and Schnagl know what happened that evening, and Jelinek “is not here to tell her side of the story.”
Gould added that Jelinek was the “light of the family,” and these holidays will seem empty without her.
Schnagl has been in custody since Jelinek’s disappearance last December, serving a prison sentence for drug charges.
If convicted of third-degree murder, Schnagl could face up to 25 years in prison.
His next hearing is Jan 22.
(credit: Chisago Co. Sheriff’s Office.)
