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Anarae Schunk, who had been missing since September 22, was found dead on Monday in a ditch in Rice County, Minnesota. Her ex-boyfriend, who has a lengthy criminal record and was charged last week with murder, is implicated in Schunk’s death.
Here are five fast facts you need to know about Anarae Schunk.
1. Schunk’s Body Was Found Monday
Anarae Schunk’s body was found in a grassy ditch in the 7000 block of West 60th Street, a farmland area of the Wheatland Township at about 4:30 p.m. on Monday, according to the Star Tribune. She was found as county moving crews were working on the overgrown shrubbery. Authorities responded to the scene and took her to the Hennepin County medical examiner for autopsy.
Crews have since mowed the ditched area, destroying any unidentified evidence left at the scene.
2. Schunk Was Last Seen Meeting Up With Her Alleged Murderer Ex-Boyfriend
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According to the Star Tribune, Schunk was dropped off at Caribou Coffee in Burnsville, Minnesota, on September 21 by a friend. She was meeting up with her ex-boyfriend Shavelle Chavez-Nelson. Schunk loaned Nelson $5,000 while they were dating and she was meeting him to get the money back.
Unfortunately, this was the last time Schunk was scene. Security footage from the nearby Nina’s Grill that evening shows Schunk with her ex and his new girlfriend, Ashley Conrade. And then she was gone.
Suspicion immediately fell over Nelson, who has an extensive criminal past, including a second-degree murder charge. He is accused of shooting 23-year-old Palagor Jobi the night of Schunk’s disappearance, according to the Daily Mail. After the shooting, Conrade, Nelson, and Schunk fled in a car.
Nelson is being held on a $2 million bail. Conrade has also been charged with harboring Nelson. Her bail has been set at $250,000. Nelson was just released a week ago on a $25,000 burglary and weapons charge.
3. Police Found Schunk’s Blood-Covered Sweater and Murder Weapon at the Ex-Boyfriend’s House
Anarae’s brother, Tyson revealed on September 30 that police found his sister’s jacket in Nelson’s apartment. The jacket was found covered in blood with multiple puncture holes, according to CBS. The Star Tribune has reported the jacket has 18-20 holes that police believe could have been stab wounds.
A knife was also found on the roof of the apartment building, and authorities are awaiting DNA results from both items to conclude whether the blood belonged to Schunk.
4. Dozens of Friends & Family Members Are Searching the Area for Clues
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Since Schunk disappeared on September 21, family and friends began scouring the town for evidence to shed light on what happened to their missing loved one. According to the Daily Mail, volunteers were searching fields close to Pickerel Lake and vacant lots around town. The Star Tribune reported volunteers looking through Lilydale Regional park and the industrial and farmland area of Apple Valley and Lebanon Hills Park in Eagan. Additional evidence was found in the latter two locations.
5. Schunk Was Attending The University of Minnesota
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At the time of her death, Anarae Schunk was studying sociology at the University of Minesotta. According to the Star Tribune, she had just moved out of her parents’ home and into student housing.