Nanny Who Answered Online Ad Found Dead

(CBS/AP)  Police say an online ad seeking a nanny may have cost a Cottage Grove, Minnesota, woman her life.

Katherine Ann Olson, 24, was found dead in the trunk of her car at a Burnsville, Minnesota, park late Friday night. She was last seen by friends Thursday morning, when she went to meet someone in Savage about the job, which investigators said she had found on Craigslist.org, a popular Internet bulletin board.

A 19-year-old man from Savage who police believe placed the ad is being held in the Scott County jail pending charges expected to be filed Tuesday. He worked at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, where police arrested him Friday night.

The suspect, identified as Michael John Anderson, was scheduled to appear in court Tuesday, reported CBS News correspondent Dean Reynolds.

"We're confident we have the suspect in custody," Police Capt. David Muelken said.

A spokesman for Craigslist told Reynolds that, if the link to the site is confirmed, it would be the first muder ever tied to Craigslist in its 12 years of existence.

"Investigators are working with Craigslist," Muelken told Early Show co-anchor Harry Smith, "and they have been cooperative."

In a KMSP-TV interview, the victim's father, Rolf Olson, says the family is devastated but "there was some sense of peace that they found her."

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

Her family said had taken nanny jobs at least twice before, including a job in Turkey, after answering online ads. They said they had misgivings about her finding jobs online, but she never seemed to worry.

That last help wanted posting, said her sister, Sarah Richter, "seemed kind of fishy, but she was just going to check it out, and meet them."

Olson's family gathered in front of their home Saturday afternoon to share stories of a vivacious young woman "who was a joy, who trusted people" and always assumed the best in others. They said they were finding strength in the people who were touched by Olson's life.

"She was going to set the world on fire, and that's the grief that we feel," said her mother, Nancy Olson. "It's not just for us, it's for all these other people that she would have touched."

Citing the ongoing investigation, police were cautious about the details they released. They declined to say how Katherine Olson might have been killed or whether a weapon was used. They said they weren't sure of a motive.

Muelken said a resident told a Savage Public Works employee about a purse found in a garbage can at Pacer Park. A police officer retrieved the purse, which contained belongings of Olson's. Thinking it was a theft, police called Olson's home and left a message telling her they had her purse. About 5 p.m. Friday, Olson's roommate returned the call and told police Olson hadn't been seen since 8 a.m. Thursday, when she went off to Savage to interview for a baby-sitting job.

Police went back to the park and found a garbage bag in the container. Inside it was a "significantly bloody towel." An extensive search of the area ensued. A State Patrol helicopter pilot noticed a car in the parking lot of Rudy Kraemer Nature Preserve in Burnsville, a few blocks away from Pacer Park. Police identified the car as Olson's, and found her body in the trunk.

[earthday2]

I feel so bad for that family,they got the person who did this sick crime why don''t they just executed him on the spot. I also was a victim of rape and they never found these low lifes, I still suffer because of it your never the same know matter what you do.

[slave_gal]

Taking away there freedom is not taking away there freedom....they get to enjoy life they all the comforts of home they even get congical visits that is more then any one they have killed will ever get.

[chad55555]

All this girl wanted to do was make honest money and help others and if this man took her life. HE SHOULD PAY THE PRICE WITH HIS LIFE,NO EXCUSES CAN AND SHOULD BE MADE.He is worse then a state superviser that uses their job to get *** and frame others they don''t like to keep their job. LIKE ED Mc and George K. TOO MUCH OF THIS IS GOING ON IN THIS COUNTRY PUT A STOP TO IT AND make an example of him on national TV.

[rhs648]

Don''''t be a helpless guppy. The world is full of sharks. Evil is everywhere.

Posted by Keithle1

There are nice people everywhere. Our failure is not weeding out the evil people from our society. This is not apt to change as long as we place rights above human life. The incident at Virginia Tech could have been avoided if agencies and the courts weren''t so concerned about confidentiality. We sometimes worry more about the rights of child molesters than we do their victims. Our society is in need of change.

[keithle1]

Why would you want to be a nanny?

"who was a joy, who trusted people" and always assumed the best in others..

That was her mistake. Life ain''t a Pippy Longstocking movie. Women should not trust people. Don''t trust anybody except your immediate family. And even then keep your eyes wide open.

Don''t be a helpless guppy. The world is full of sharks. Evil is everywhere.

[sblake63]

The womans family should be allowed to execute the killer and it should be forcefully televised to all citizens and explained in schools "this is what happens when you take another person''s life".

[rhs648]

I hope they have the right guy in custody, and he has a speedy trial, and gets locked up for life.

Posted by nolalou

If this is the killer, locking him up for life is too good for him. Swift execution is the right thing to do. Prisioners are allowed visits from family and friends, television time, free medical attention, and can joke and have a good time with fellow inmates. This girl has been deprived of any of this and her family will always live with grief and loss. It is time to stop pampering murderers.

[mrkites11]

murder rate in Riyadh?

I fail to see the deterrent in housing, clothing, and feeding him for free.

[wghawkins]

Public Executions! Just like in Riyadh.
Way to go. Don''t stop there-
Let''s shut off the internet, and then public highways,
the electrical grid, supermarkets, and more of these items which are critical support elements of terrorism and anti-American behavior.

[mrkites11]

Hang him in the largest street crossing closeby, till his body rots off the string, so others who want to kill can look forward to that, not a free ride from society.