JORDAN, Minnesota — Authorities have arrested a man in connection with the shooting death of a woman whose body was discovered at an abandoned property in late January. Officials believe the suspect is responsible for the fatal incident involving 46-year-old Tabitha Renee Justice.
On Friday, the 41-year-old man was formally charged with second-degree murder after being apprehended on unrelated charges in Le Sueur County. He is expected to be transferred to Scott County Jail as the investigation continues.
Justice was found with a gunshot wound to the head at an abandoned location on Quaker Avenue in Jordan on January 28, shortly after being reported missing. Friends indicated that she had been in a tumultuous relationship with a man identified only as “Nico,” who displayed controlling and aggressive behavior.
The suspect’s interactions with investigators revealed questionable behavior following Justice’s disappearance. He described their relationship as merely “friends with benefits” and claimed he last saw her two to three days before Christmas. Reports indicate he left the area soon after, taking a bus to Hovland, Minnesota, to visit family.
Court documents reveal inconsistencies in his statements, with witnesses suggesting he was anxious to distance himself from the investigation. When approached about Justice’s death, he allegedly made jokes and exhibited indifference, even attempting to deflect blame onto neighbors.
In April, authorities searched a residence in Hovland, where the suspect was arrested for violating probation. During that arrest, he was seen clutching a backpack containing a Smith & Wesson 9mm handgun. Ballistic evidence later confirmed that shell casings discovered at the murder scene matched those found in his possession. Furthermore, fingerprints on the weapon linked him to the crime.
Justice’s body was discovered on property owned by Bobby & Steve’s Auto Shop, which is currently being rented out, according to Scott County court records. Friends of Justice expressed deep sorrow over her death, describing her as a vibrant and caring individual who had relocated from Florida to Minnesota to be closer to her children and grandchildren.
Ashlei Lambert, a longtime friend, shared her heartbreak regarding the loss. She noted that their community is mourning Justice, emphasizing the gravity of her violent death and the way her body was discarded. “To know that she was left behind like a piece of garbage is absurd,” Lambert stated.
As this investigation unfolds, the Jordan community grapples with the impact of this tragedy while seeking justice for Tabitha Renee Justice.