Minnesota Craigslist nanny found murdered

By Karyn Chenoweth Oct 29, 2007, 3:04 GMT

Police in Minnesota say an online ad may have cost a young woman her life.

FOX News reports that Katherine Olson was last seen by friends when she went to meet someone about a nanny job posted on Craigslist.org, the Internet bulletin board.

A day later, her body was found in her car at a Minnesota nature preserve. Police are still piecing together what happened next. 

Katherine’s purse was found Friday in a dumpster at Pacer Park, and near it, a bloody towel.  Later that evening, a state helicopter used its heat sensing camera and located Katherine’s body in the trunk of her car.  It was parked blocks from Pacer Park, at Kramer Reserve Park in Burnsville.

At the same time, police were also hunting down the suspect.  His house was searched and he was arrested at the airport, where he works.  Officials say the 19-year-old Savage man posted the Craig’s List ad, and they are investigating it’s intentions – but suspect the goal was to lure strangers.

Authorities say a 19-year-old man who they believe placed the ad is being held pending charges. Authorities did not release his name but said charges could be filed as soon as today.

FOX reports that Olson graduated from St. Olaf College last year. Her family said she had taken nanny jobs at least twice before after answering online ads