At a Glance
- Jessie Blodgett, a 19-year-old theater student, was strangled in July 2013.
- Her former boyfriend, Daniel Bartelt, was arrested after a 16-day investigation and later sentenced to life without parole.
- A new 20/20 episode, Her Last Note, premieres on January 23, bringing the case back into the spotlight.
- Why it matters: The case highlights how quickly a community can rally for justice when a young life is lost.
The story of Jessie Blodgett’s tragic death has resurfaced as ABC’s 20/20 airs a new episode on January 23. The episode, Her Last Note, will stream on Disney+ and Hulu the following day. The case, which began in July 2013, saw Daniel Bartelt, Jessie’s former boyfriend, charged and convicted of first-degree intentional homicide. He is now serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole at the Wisconsin Waupun Correctional Institution.
The Victim: Jessie Blodgett
Jessie Blodgett was a 19-year-old sophomore at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, studying theater. On July 14, 2013, she returned home at 1 a.m. after a cast party following a performance of Fiddler on the Roof, where she played the Fiddler. Her mother discovered her lifeless body in her bed around 12 p.m. the next day. Police found signs of strangulation on her neck, though no weapon was located in her room.
Investigators obtained a search warrant for Jessie’s phone records and Facebook account, where she posted about her play and a photo with her cast. An autopsy confirmed strangulation as the cause of death.
The Suspect: Daniel Bartelt
Daniel Bartelt and Jessie knew each other for several years, having dated early in high school. They remained friends and frequently spoke. According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, they would write and sing songs together. Jessie’s father, Buck Blodgett, said, “Jessie and Dan sit together at school; he was a straight-A student … they would write songs together and sing together. He was welcome in our home.”
After Jessie’s body was found, Bartelt showed support to the family. Buck explained, “He was just over, the day after Jessie’s murder, sharing hugs and memories and tears with us until his phone rang and he was called in for questioning.”
Bartelt had a prior incident on July 12, when he attacked a woman in Woodlawn Park with a knife. The victim wrestled the weapon away and Bartelt fled. He was questioned on July 16, admitted the attack, and was charged with four felonies and a misdemeanor.
How the Investigation Unfolded
Police zeroed in on Bartelt when he mentioned a detail that had not yet been released to the public. While being questioned, he said someone had “raped and murdered” Jessie. That information was new to investigators.
They obtained video footage of Bartelt walking through Woodlawn Park on the day of the murder. They searched trash cans and found ropes, bloody sanitizing wipes, and tape inside a discarded cereal box. DNA testing linked the evidence to both Jessie and Bartelt.
Investigators also discovered disturbing online search history on Bartelt’s computer, including queries about serial killers. During the trial, prosecutors argued that Bartelt likely targeted Jessie because it was “convenient.”
Current Status and Legacy
Bartelt was found guilty on October 14, 2014, and received a life sentence without the possibility of parole. He is currently imprisoned in the Wisconsin Waupun Correctional Institution and maintains his innocence. Judge Todd Martens said at sentencing, “I find that the gravity of this offense, the premeditation, the brutality, is so overwhelming I think the Blodgets are entitled to know that even after they’re gone, there’s no chance the defendant will ever walk the streets again and endanger someone else.”
Buck Blodgett forgave Bartelt, telling him, “I not only forgive you, I love you.” He added, “I didn’t mean it like I like him, like I want to hang out and watch Packer games. But like a willful act of what I want to bring to this world, which is the opposite of what he brought in and took out of this world.”
Jessie’s legacy lives on. In 2016, her father founded the Love Is Greater Than Hate Project in her honor. Buck said his daughter’s “last big cause in life was male violence against women. She was just fiercely outspoken about that for a year or two before her death.”
Timeline of Key Events
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| July 12, 2013 | Bartelt attacks woman in Woodlawn Park with knife |
| July 14, 2013 | Jessie returns home at 1 a.m.; body found at 12 p.m. next day |
| July 16, 2013 | Bartelt questioned, admits attack |
| August 2014 | Bartelt sentenced to life without parole |
| October 14, 2014 | Bartelt found guilty of first-degree intentional homicide |
| January 23, 2026 | 20/20 episode Her Last Note premieres |
Key Takeaways
- Jessie Blodgett, a 19-year-old theater student, was strangled in July 2013.
- Daniel Bartelt, her former boyfriend, was arrested after a 16-day investigation and later sentenced to life without parole.
- A new 20/20 episode brings renewed attention to the case and the ongoing impact on Jessie’s family and community.
The case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of domestic violence and the importance of swift, thorough investigations to bring perpetrators to justice.
