Early in the morning of December 16, 2022, detectives Abby DeSanto and Jennifer O’Donnell were called to investigate the death of Alexandra Pennig in St. Paul, Minnesota. Pennig, a 32-year-old nurse, was found dead in her apartment bathroom with a gunshot wound to the head. Matthew Ecker, another nurse who was present at the time of the incident, claimed that Pennig had taken her own life by grabbing his gun and shooting herself after locking herself in the bathroom.
However, as the investigation unfolded, inconsistencies in Ecker’s story came to light. Despite his claim that he broke open the bathroom door immediately after hearing the shot, forensic evidence revealed a metal ring from the bathroom door lock underneath Pennig’s body. This discovery suggested that the door had been forced open before she was shot, contradicting Ecker’s version of events.
Further digging into Pennig’s background revealed a history of depression and addiction, with past suicide attempts reported by her family. Contrary to Ecker’s account of the events leading up to Pennig’s death, her parents insisted that she was doing well and that the idea of her taking her own life did not align with their knowledge of her.
As the detectives pieced together the evidence, they concluded that Ecker had likely argued with Pennig, prompting her to lock herself in the bathroom to escape. Ecker then forcibly entered the bathroom, leading to the fatal shooting and the subsequent discovery of the metal ring under Pennig’s body. Ecker was ultimately charged with second-degree murder, convicted in February 2024, and sentenced to 30 years in prison, though he is currently appealing his conviction.
The case of Alexandra Pennig’s tragic death serves as a reminder of the complexities involved in unraveling the truth behind seemingly straightforward incidents. The meticulous work of detectives DeSanto and O’Donnell highlights the importance of thorough investigation and attention to detail in uncovering the reality of what transpired that fateful morning in December 2022.
