A federal jury in Minnesota has convicted 37-year-old Jennifer Marie Stately of killing her two sons through stabbing and arson at their home on the Red Lake Nation. Stately fatally stabbed her 6-year-old son Remi and set fires to trap her 5-year-old son Tristan, who died from smoke inhalation. She fled with her surviving 3-year-old child before being apprehended shortly after.
On March 15, 2024, the violence occurred at the family home on the Red Lake Indian Reservation in Minnesota. Jennifer Marie Stately, 37, stabbed her 6-year-old son Remi Stately to death. She then set three fires inside the home using gasoline and lighter fluid, including at the two exits, to prevent her 5-year-old son Tristan Stately from escaping. Tristan died from smoke inhalation.
Stately fled the scene with her 3-year-old child, who suffered burns covering 95% of his body. An Amber Alert was issued after police discovered the fire, and within an hour, a motorist spotted Stately with the child, leading to her arrest.
A federal jury convicted Stately after a 2.5-week trial of two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of murder in the course of committing child abuse, one count of murder in the course of committing arson, and one count of arson. Her lawyers argued insanity, but the jury rejected the defense. A sentencing date has not been set.
Rick Evanchec, Interim Special Agent in Charge of the FBI's Minneapolis Field Office, stated that the children had "no chance at survival while in the care of the one person who should have kept them safe."
Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Superintendent Drew Evans remarked, "We all witnessed the devastating aftermath of Jennifer Stately's horrific and unthinkable actions that night. We hope that holding her accountable for her crimes will provide some sense of justice for the family and the entire Red Lake community who are forever impacted by the loss of these two young boys."
Prior to the federal charges, state prosecutors in Todd County dismissed child abuse and neglect charges to allow for federal prosecution. Court records detailed severe neglect of the children, including the 3-year-old's untreated sores, scabs on his feet preventing him from standing, and rotted teeth affecting his ability to eat.
Remi was remembered in his obituary as a fun-loving boy who enjoyed playing with siblings and favored "Toy Story" and "Bubble Guppies." Tristan was described as an outgoing protector of his brothers.