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.
This story is compiled from 3 sources using AI-assisted curation and analysis. Original reporting is attributed below. Learn about our methodology.
📌 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.
📰 Source Timeline (3)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
December 13, 2025
1:31 AM
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.
December 12, 2025
11:49 PM
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.
December 11, 2025