Noelle Ness, 25, was killed at her family home in Chanhassen, Minnesota, on May 8, 2021. Deputies responding to a fire alarm were told about a shooting while en route; they found Noelle in her bedroom with 18 gunshot wounds and hundreds of spent shell casings in the room. Windows in the house had been shot out and bullets were lodged in the walls, and several rifles and ammunition were recovered at the residence near Lake Minnewashta.

Noelle’s younger brother, 21-year-old Joseph Thomas Ness, was arrested and initially charged with second-degree intentional murder; a grand jury later indicted him on first-degree premeditated murder. He remains in custody with bail set at $6 million. No motive has been made clear and the investigation is ongoing.

Noelle was remembered as an avid competitive dancer and described by members of her community as a sweet, innocent soul. If anyone knew Noelle, Joseph, or has information about what happened that afternoon, please share what you know.