Arrest made in connection with 2007 death of Minot State student Anita Knutson

MINOT, N.D. - After 15 years, the Minot Police Department has made an arrest in the stabbing death of 18-year-old Anita Knutson.

At a special press conference Wednesday, the department announced they arrested 34-year-old Nichole Rice on a AA-felony murder charge in Knutson’s death.

Knutson was found fatally stabbed in her off-campus apartment in June of 2007.

Minot Police said Rice was arrested at 3:25 p.m. on Wednesday while at her civilian job on Minot Air Force Base and was taken into custody without incident.

Minot Police Chief John Klug hoped to give the community some sort of closure.

“At about 3:25 pm, 34-year-old Nichole Rice was arrested for murder and taken to Ward County Jail,” said Klug.

Klug shared that the department spent hundreds of hours looking into the case throughout the years.

“It was being able to sit and dedicate some time our officers to that and let them do their work. Like I said, there have been times that we have looked at this case and we wanted to move it forward,” Klug said.

With the additional resources provided by an outside entity, Cold Justice, the Minot Police Department was able to put the pieces together.

“A lot of it isn’t new information. There were a few details that came up. Over time things start to develop. Ultimately, you are looking back, you’re looking probably at least dozens, but probably over, maybe over 100 statements that were taken,” said Klug.

Klug added that it is not only a relief to the department but to Knutson’s family and the community that the 15-year-long investigation is ending.

Klug told the community Wednesday Rice was always a person of interest.

Rice is waiting for her initial court appearance.

Your News Leader will continue to closely follow the case.

UPDATE 4:35 p.m.: Minot Police said they have arrested 34-year-old Nichole Rice, a former roommate of Knutson’s, on a AA-felony charge of murder, in Knutson’s death. Police indicated Rice was working as a civilian employee on Minot Air Force Base at the time of her arrest, and was taken into custody without incident.

ORIGINAL STORY: Minot Police announced Tuesday they have made an arrest in connection with the death of 18-year-old Anita Knutson, a Minot State student who was found killed in her off-campus apartment in 2007.

The city called a press conference for 4:30 p.m. Wednesday at City Hall to announce the situation.

The details of the person arrested, as well as their connection to Knutson’s death, were unclear, as of 4:25 p.m.

Your News Leader has a crew at the conference and will update.

This is a developing story. Stick with Your News Leader for updates.

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