Minnesota woman gets 15 years for fatally shooting boyfriend

Minnesota woman has been sentenced to 15 years in prison after pleading guilty to fatally shooting her boyfriend with his own handgun before fleeing in his truck with his dog.

Jordan Hanson, 24, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the death of 43-year-old Justin Esparza, who was found dead at his home in Hallock, Minnesota, following the March 13, 2025, shooting, according to the Minnesota Attorney General's Office.

Mother alerted police after alleged confession

Authorities said Hanson returned to her mother's home after the shooting with Esparza's dog and allegedly admitted that she had shot him. Her mother then contacted police.

During a phone call with officers, Hanson reportedly declined to discuss the incident over the phone, saying she preferred to speak in person. Investigators said she appeared to be under the influence of drugs. Her mother told police Hanson had recently been released from a treatment centre.

At the same time, Hanson's sister called 911 requesting a welfare check at Esparza's home.

Officers found victim dead at scene

Responding officers discovered Esparza dead in his living room with a gunshot wound to the head. Investigators found a Smith & Wesson 9mm handgun on a nearby couch and a spent shell casing on the floor.

When officers arrested Hanson at her mother's home, they said she made several incoherent remarks, including asking why "all the sugar beets were still doing on the ground."

According to court documents, Hanson also mistakenly told a deputy she was being arrested because she had shot him.

Witness says he saw shooting

Investigators interviewed a witness who said he had been at Esparza's home with Hanson before the shooting. The witness told police the group had used methamphetamine together and claimed he saw Hanson shoot Esparza.

Hanson was sentenced to 15 years in prison after entering her guilty plea to second-degree murder.