Homicide Hunter: American Detective is examining the murder of Melissa Norby by Jacob Kinn, who then kidnapped and raped a young girl Norby was babysitting in Bemidji, Minnesota.
In the early hours of June 22, 2016, firefighters were called to a blaze at a trailer park home in Bemidji. After the fire was contained, the remains of 35-year-old Norby were discovered in the trailer, with 75% of her body burned.
The cops soon learned that Norby had been looking after her friend’s daughter, a five-year-old girl who was now missing.
The investigators zeroed in on Jacob Kinn, Norby’s former boyfriend. He had a conviction for child pornography, and the pair had recently rekindled their relationship.
Thankfully, the police found the girl in a pop-up camper on land belonging to Kinn’s brother in Bigfork, MN. The girl was bound with duct tape, and she had been raped.
The cops learned through text messages sent between Norby and Kinn that the pair had actually planned to kidnap and sexually assault the girl together.
Jacob Kinn confessed to killing Melissa Norby and kidnapping 5 year old girl
With the evidence piling up, Kinn finally admitted what had happened. He had gone to Norby’s trailer, and while they had sex, he choked her to death with a belt. It’s thought the girl was present at the time.
Watch the Latest on our YouTube ChannelKinn then took the girl to his Bemidji home, where he restrained her before he returned to Norby’s trailer and set fire to it. On his return home, he raped the girl.
Later that evening, Kinn brought the girl to the camper at Bigfork. He tied her up and told her he would not be coming back.
A year later, Kinn pleaded guilty to second-degree murder. He also admitted to one count of kidnapping and one count of first-degree criminal sexual conduct with a person younger than 13.
Jacob Kinn sentenced to over 50 years for murder, kidnap, and rape
Kinn further admitted to aggravating factors such as mutilating Norby’s body and committing a murder in the presence of a child. These aggravating factors led to sentences well above the Minnesota guidelines, meaning he was imprisoned for 52 years.
The killer and rapist will be eligible for parole after serving two-thirds of his sentence.
The Family Advocacy Center of Northern Minnesota released a statement on behalf of the girl’s family, which read in part, “[Kinn] tried to take her from us, but she will never be his. The strength that radiates from her is unbelievable … we are so incredibly thankful.”
Homicide Hunter: American Detective airs Wednesday at 9/8c on Investigation Discovery.