What Happened to Dru Sjodin? Who was Dru Sjodin?
by Swetha P
Updated Jan 13, 2024
What Happened to Dru Sjodin?
Dru Sjodin, a 22-year-old University of North Dakota senior, went missing on November 22, 2003, after leaving her job at Columbia Mall in Grand Forks, North Dakota. She was last heard on the phone with her boyfriend, abruptly hanging up after saying something like 'OK, OK.' Concerns rose when she didn't show up for her second job, and her car was found in the mall's parking lot with a knife sheath nearby.
An extensive search involving multiple law enforcement agencies revealed that Dru had been abducted and taken across state lines. Tragically, her body was found in a ravine outside Crookston, Minnesota, in April 2004. This devastating incident led to the creation of Dru's Law and a significant transformation in how the U.S. tracks sex offenders.
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Who was Dru Sjodin?
Dru Sjodin, born on September 26, 1981, was a Minneapolis native and a graduate of Pequot Lakes High School. An industrious student, she attended the University of North Dakota, where she was part of the aviation program and the Gamma Phi Beta Sorority.
Dru also worked two jobs and dedicated time to helping underprivileged teens through her sorority. Her life was tragically cut short at the age of 22, leaving behind a legacy that prompted the implementation of Dru's Law to enhance public safety.
Who was Dru Sjodin Boyfriend?
Dru Sjodin's boyfriend, Chris Lang, played a pivotal role in the unfolding events surrounding her disappearance. On the day she vanished, Dru was engaged in a phone call with Lang, during which the conversation abruptly ended with an 'OK, OK.' This last communication became a critical piece of evidence for understanding the timeline of events.
Subsequently, Lang received another call from Dru's number, but it only conveyed static and the sound of a dial pad being typed, adding to the mystery of her disappearance. Lang's cooperation with investigators became essential, as he provided valuable insights that aided in piecing together the circumstances leading up to Dru Sjodin's tragic vanishing.
Is Dru Sjodin Killer Arrested?
Yes, The perpetrator behind the heinous crime against Dru Sjodin was identified as Alfonso Rodriguez Jr., a Level 3 registered illegal offender in Minnesota. Rodriguez, with a troubling criminal history, was swiftly apprehended on December 1, 2003, mere days after Dru's disappearance. Having recently been released from a 23-year prison term, Rodriguez's violent past escalated to the abduction and murder of Dru Sjodin.
Convicted in federal court on August 30, 2006, of kidnapping resulting in death, Rodriguez initially faced the death penalty. However, in a turn of events in 2021, his death sentence was overturned, ultimately leading to a life sentence without the possibility of parole. The quest for justice in Dru Sjodin's case unfolded with complexities, highlighting the devastating impact of a dangerous criminal on an innocent life.
What Happened to Dru Sjodin: FAQs
No, Dru Sjodin's body was discovered in April 2004 near Crookston, Minnesota, months after her tragic disappearance.
Alfonso Rodriguez Jr. was a Level 3 registered sexual offender with a history of violent crimes, convicted of kidnapping resulting in Dru Sjodin's death.
Initially sentenced to death in 2007, Rodriguez's death penalty was overturned in 2021, and he is currently serving life in prison.
Dru Sjodin's body was found just outside Crookston, Minnesota, in April 2004, months after her disappearance in November 2003.
Alfonso Rodriguez Jr. is serving a life sentence at the United States Penitentiary Coleman II in Florida after the death penalty was overturned in 2021.