(Oak Park Heights, MN) — Donald Blom, who was serving a life sentence for the 1999 murder of Moose Lake convenience store worker Katie Poirier, died Tuesday at the state prison in Oak Park Heights. The Star Tribune reports a state Corrections Department spokesperson says it was “an expected natural-causes death due to illness.” Poirier, who was 19 years old, was kidnapped from the store where she was working alone just before midnight on May 26th, 1999. Her body was never recovered, but a tooth with dental work matching Poirier’s plus burned human remains were found on Blom’s property. He confessed to authorities and later tried to withdraw it.
About the Author: Ashley Hanley
Ashley (Goettl) Hanley is a North Mankato native and Mankato West graduate who made the switch from TV journalism to radio.
After five years at KEYC News 12, Ashley is thrilled to be working for KTOE News. Ashley and her husband John, and son John, enjoy spending time in the community. You can also find Ashley coaching and playing softball and supporting her brother on the MSU football team and her sister with Scarlet athletics.
Even though she went to the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, Ashley kept her Minnesota roots and is a big Twins and Vikings fan!
