Joseph Wiggins charged with murdering Amy Doverspike at Maplewood apartment; suspect shot himself, police say
Ramsey County prosecutors charged 57‑year‑old Joseph Raymond Wiggins with killing 55‑year‑old Amy Alberta Doverspike outside apartment 109 at 2565 Ivy Avenue East in Maplewood, where officers found Doverspike with two gunshot wounds and spent casings and a bullet fragment in the hallway. Police say Wiggins shot himself and was found critically injured by a SWAT team with a Smith & Wesson nearby; charging documents allege he live‑streamed an apology and sent messages after the shooting, and describe an on‑again, off‑again relationship amid reported drug use and family turmoil.
📌 Key Facts
- Ramsey County prosecutors charged St. Paul man Joseph Raymond Wiggins, 57, in the killing of Maplewood woman Amy Alberta Doverspike, 55.
- The shooting occurred at 2565 Ivy Avenue East outside apartment 109; officers reported smelling gunpowder and seeing smoke at the scene.
- Charging documents allege Doverspike suffered two gunshot wounds (upper right thigh and left shoulder/back); investigators found spent casings near her body and a bullet fragment in the hallway.
- Police say Wiggins shot himself after the killing; SWAT found him with a phone in his hand and a Smith & Wesson handgun near his feet (an empty holster was also recovered), and he remains in critical condition at Regions Hospital.
- The complaint alleges Wiggins live-streamed an apology after the shooting and sent texts and live videos, including messages that read, “I killed her. I’m dying… I’m choking on my brain…”
- Reports describe Wiggins and Doverspike as having an on-again, off-again relationship; police say an affair was discovered, Wiggins wanted to rekindle the relationship, and the affair prompted a partner to leave.
- Charging documents and reporting note both Wiggins and Doverspike began using methamphetamine after their son was imprisoned; apartment staff said the pair share a child who is currently incarcerated for murder.
📰 Sources (3)
Maplewood murder: Man shoots woman after affair discovered, police say
New information:
- Suspect identified as Joseph Raymond Wiggins, 57; victim identified as Amy Alberta Doverspike, 55.
- Exact location provided: 2565 Ivy Avenue East, outside apartment 109; officers reported smelling gunpowder and seeing smoke.
- Charging details: two gunshot wounds (upper right thigh; left shoulder/back); spent casings near the body and a bullet fragment in the hallway.
- SWAT entry found Wiggins with a phone in hand and a Smith & Wesson handgun near his feet; an empty holster was recovered.
- Wiggins remains in critical condition at Regions Hospital after an apparent self-inflicted gunshot.
- Text messages and live videos cited in charges, including Wiggins’ messages: “I killed her. I’m dying… I’m choking on my brain…”
- Relationship context: an on-again, off-again relationship; wife discovered the affair and was leaving; charges note both began using methamphetamine after their son was imprisoned.
- Noted by apartment staff: the pair share a child who is currently incarcerated for murder; Wiggins allegedly wanted to rekindle the relationship but Doverspike was not interested.
St. Paul man killed Maplewood woman, shot self, then live-streamed an apology, charges say
New information:
- Ramsey County prosecutors filed charges against a St. Paul man in the Maplewood apartment homicide.
- Charging documents say the suspect shot himself after killing the woman.
- The complaint alleges the suspect live-streamed an apology following the shooting.