Man Convicted of Brutally Killing and Cannibalizing His Mother in Minnesota

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A 26-year-old Minnesota man, Eric Leif Jordahl, has been convicted of the gruesome murder of his mother, 62-year-old Rosalie 'Rose' Johnson, a Big Lake City Council member. Jordahl brutally dismembered and cannibalized his mother in their home, claiming the 'devil' was inside him. When authorities arrived, they found parts of her body and blood scattered throughout the residence. Jordahl's defense team is arguing he is mentally ill and not guilty, but he was convicted on two counts of second-degree murder.

Why it matters

This case has shocked the Big Lake community and raised serious questions about mental health, the criminal justice system's handling of such cases, and the need for better support and resources for individuals struggling with severe mental illness. The brutal nature of the crime has also sparked wider discussions about the factors that can lead to such extreme violence within families.

The details

According to court documents, on July 23, 2020, Jordahl's father, Andrew Jordahl, came home from work and found his son covered in blood. The son told him, 'The devil exists, it's in me, and I ate Mom.' Andrew Jordahl then found his wife's jaw on the kitchen counter and called 911. Police discovered blood, hair, tissue, and brain matter throughout the home, as well as Rosalie Johnson's scalp against a wall in the basement. Jordahl admitted to punching his mother, using a fan as a weapon, and then stabbing and cannibalizing her while she was still alive.

• On July 23, 2020, Andrew Jordahl found his son covered in blood and called 911.
• In 2021, Eric Jordahl was found incompetent to stand trial, slowing down the case.
• In 2023 and 2024, Jordahl was deemed competent to stand trial, leading his attorneys to claim he was not guilty by reason of mental illness.
• On April 9, 2026, Jordahl was convicted of two counts of second-degree murder.
• The second stage of the trial, to determine if Jordahl is not guilty due to mental illness, is expected to take place on April 13, 2026.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The second stage of Jordahl's trial, to determine if he is not guilty by reason of mental illness, is expected to take place on April 13, 2026. If the judge agrees with the defense's argument, Jordahl will remain housed at the Forensic Mental Health Program. If the judge disagrees, Jordahl will be sentenced to prison.