19-Year-Old Jessie Blodgett Was Murdered by Ex-Boyfriend Daniel Bartelt After a Party. Here’s Where the Killer Is Now

In a tragic tale that continues to haunt the community of Hartford, Wisconsin, the murder of 19-year-old theater student Jessie Blodgett by her former boyfriend Daniel Bartelt has left a lasting impact. This heart-wrenching case, which unfolded in July 2013, raises questions that linger even after years have passed.

Jessie Blodgett was a bright sophomore at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, passionate about theater. On July 14, 2013, after attending a cast party for “Fiddler on the Roof,” she returned home late. Her mother discovered her lifeless body the following day, leading to a frantic investigation that would uncover a web of chilling details.

Authorities quickly focused on Bartelt, a friend and former boyfriend of Jessie, who was arrested after a 16-day investigation. Despite the evidence against him, Bartelt has consistently proclaimed his innocence. The investigation revealed that Jessie had been bound and strangled, but the murder weapon was never found.

The relationship between Jessie and Bartelt was complex. They had dated during high school but remained friends afterward. Bartelt even visited Jessie’s family the day after her murder, sharing in their grief before he was called in for questioning.

This act raised eyebrows, especially when it was discovered that just days before Jessie’s death, he had allegedly attacked a woman in a nearby park.

During police interviews, Bartelt made a comment about Jessie being “raped and murdered,” a detail not released to the public, which raised suspicions. Surveillance footage placed him near the scene of the crime, and evidence found in a park trash can linked him to both Jessie and the earlier attack.

At his trial, prosecutors suggested that Bartelt may have targeted Jessie because of a perceived opportunity. Friends of Jessie reported that he had expressed a desire to rekindle their relationship, but she was not interested. Ultimately, Bartelt was charged with first-degree intentional homicide and other related offenses.

On August 19, 2014, he was found guilty and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Currently, he is serving his sentence at the Waupun Correctional Institution in Wisconsin. During his sentencing, he addressed Jessie’s family, claiming he could not explain his actions but maintained that the circumstances did not make him guilty.

Jessie’s father, Buck Blodgett, has been vocal about his daughter’s legacy. He founded the Love Is Greater Than Hate Project in her honor, emphasizing Jessie’s advocacy against male violence towards women. Buck expressed a desire to promote love and understanding, even extending forgiveness to Bartelt, stating, “I not only forgive you, I love you,” though he clarified that this was not a desire for friendship.

As Jessie’s story continues to resonate, her tragic end serves as a reminder of the ongoing issues surrounding violence and relationships. What lessons can we take from this heartbreaking case, and how can we ensure that Jessie’s voice continues to be heard?