Wisconsin Ex-Boyfriend Convicted in 2013 Slaying Linked to Earlier Knife Attack
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DATELINE: Hartford, Wisconsin — A court has found Daniel Bartelt guilty of the 2013 murder of his former girlfriend, Jessie Blodgett, closing a case that also links to a separate, life‑altering attack on another woman days earlier in nearby Richfield.
Blodgett, then a 19‑year‑old college student, was found dead in her Hartford bedroom on July 15, 2013. Investigators said her hands were bound and her bed sheets showed signs of violent struggle. The case has haunted the community for years as prosecutors connected it to other violent events in the same period.
Earlier in July 2013, Melissa etzler survived a brutal knife attack in Richfield Historical Park. She fought off her assailant with a blade, suffering serious injuries to her hands, and described a chaotic scene of blood and fear.Police soon tied the attack to Bartelt, Blodgett’s ex‑boyfriend, who was later charged in both cases.
Following the examination, Bartelt was charged with first‑degree intentional homicide in Blodgett’s death. He pleaded not guilty and faced a lengthy trial before a verdict was delivered years later, with the court convicting him of Blodgett’s murder and sentencing him to life in prison without the possibility of parole. He also faced appeals, which were denied in 2018.
In Etzler’s case, Bartelt initially faced more severe charges. He ultimately accepted a plea deal, pleading guilty to reckless endangerment; the attempted murder charge was dismissed as part of the agreement.The two cases thus intersected in a courtroom that endured years of legal proceedings.
Shortly after Blodgett’s death, her father Buck Blodgett launched the LOVE>hate project to combat interpersonal violence and promote forgiveness. He described a belief that love reduces violence, while its absence can fuel harm. The project seeks to transform grief into community action and healing.
Key Facts at a Glance
| Event | Location | Date | People Involved | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blodgett murder | ||||
What It Means Now
the Blodgett case underscores the long shadow of violent crime on families and communities. While justice was served in Blodgett’s homicide, the intertwined chapters reflect how one person’s actions can ripple across multiple lives, prompting advocacy for safer communities and accountability.
The LOVE>hate initiative remains a core part of the Blodgett family’s response—an effort to curb violence and promote forgiveness through action and dialogue. Supporters view the project as a framework for healing that emphasizes turning grief into constructive community engagement.
Evergreen Takeaways
- Persistent investigations can connect seemingly separate events, shaping the trajectory of a case over many years.
- Violence often leaves a broader impact than the immediate incident, affecting families, communities, and laws surrounding prevention and accountability.
- Advocacy and memory projects can play a crucial role in transforming personal loss into public good, offering pathways toward prevention and reconciliation.
two Questions for Readers
What additional steps can communities take to prevent similar violence and support victims’ families in the aftermath?
How can campaigns like LOVE>hate balance accountability with forgiveness while encouraging long‑term safety?
Share your thoughts in the comments below and help spark a constructive conversation about preventing violence and supporting survivors.
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