Nanny Killer Held on $1 Million Bail

By Pamela Mortimer

Michael John Anderson was charged with second degree murder at the Scott County District Court on Tuesday as a result of a shooting involving would-be nanny Katherine Ann Olson. Anderson is being held for the death of Olson who had been shot in the back after answering an ad for employment. Bail was set at $1 million.

Olson had responded to an ad that Anderson had placed on the popular Internet bulletin board Craigslist where he falsely advertised for a nanny. Olson had obtained similar positions via internet advertising and had previously served as a nanny twice before in the U.S. and Turkey. Olson was under the impression that she was to meet with a married couple who had recently relocated to the Twin Cities. Olson, 24, left her apartment in South Minneapolis on Thursday morning. It was the last time the young woman was seen alive. Her body was found Friday night in the trunk of her car, which had been abandoned in a park about five blocks from Anderson's home. Olson's purse was found among garbage nearby along with a bag containing bloody towels, one of which had Anderson's name on it.

When questioned, Anderson initially told police he was not involved with the murder, and denied having any phone contact with Olson. Cell phone records indicated he talked with her Thursday morning, disproving his claims. In addition, Anderson said he had not used Craigslist since January, but the e-mail address listed in the ad was Anderson's. As an explanation, Anderson told police his mother and three friends had access to the account.

Upon investigation, authorities found blood stains and drag marks in Anderson's home, along with a .357-caliber Magnum that was found in his bedroom. A witness allegedly saw Olson's gold Hyundai Elantra parked in front of Anderson's house for more than two hours on Thursday, the complaint said.

Confronted with the overwhelming evidence and eye witness testimony, Anderson finally admitted that he was present during Olson's murder, but that she was fatally shot by a friend of Anderson’s who "thought it would be funny".

Olson was a 2002 graduate of Park-Cottage Grove High School, where she was co-valedictorian. She graduated from St. Olaf College in 2006.

Olson’s family posted a letter on the popular networking site Facebook, saying that Olson had previously used Craigslist to find "kindred spirits and opportunities." The family also stated that Katherine Ann Olson loved children, and was involved in the church choir, a women's group and numerous outreach activities.