Lexington double homicide victims named; estranged partner held
Authorities say a suspected double homicide in Anoka County left 44-year-old Jennifer Sue Marsaw of Lexington and her 5-year-old son, Marzai Andrew Dawson, dead. Marsaw’s 53-year-old estranged partner, a Minneapolis man, is being held at the Anoka County Jail but had not been formally charged as of Thursday afternoon; investigative agencies involved include the Centennial Lakes Police Department, Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office, Hennepin County Medical Examiner's Office, Midwest Regional Forensic Laboratory and the Anoka County Sheriff’s Office.
📌 Key Facts
- Victims were identified as 44-year-old Jennifer Sue Marsaw of Lexington and her 5-year-old son, Marzai Andrew Dawson.
- The deaths are being investigated as a double homicide in Anoka County.
- Authorities say the suspect is Marsaw’s estranged partner, a 53-year-old Minneapolis man.
- The suspect is being held at the Anoka County Jail and had not yet been formally charged as of Thursday afternoon.
- Investigative agencies involved include the Centennial Lakes Police Department, Anoka County Sheriff’s Office, Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office, Hennepin County Medical Examiner's Office, and the Midwest Regional Forensic Laboratory.
📊 Relevant Data
In 2025, nearly a quarter of the 31 intimate partner violence homicide victims in Minnesota were Black women, while Black individuals comprise 7% of the state's population.
At least 31 Minnesotans died of intimate partner violence last year, advocates say — MPR News
In Minnesota, 40% of domestic violence victims are Black women, who represent only 7% of the population, making Black women three times more likely than White women to be murdered in domestic violence incidents.
In Minnesota, 40% of domestic violence victims are Black women — but only 7% of the population is Black — Research in Action
In 2023, 49.7% of Black children in the United States lived with one parent, compared to 20.2% of White children.
Living arrangements of children by race/ethnicity, 1970-2023 — Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention
In the Twin Cities Metro area, the median household income for Black households was around $53,000, nearly $50,000 less than for White households.
Twin Cities Metro Regional Disparities by Race and Origin — Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development
Financial stress is identified as a significant risk factor for domestic and intimate partner violence.
Socioeconomic Risk Factors for Domestic and Intimate Partner Violence — Connections for Abused Women and their Children
📰 Source Timeline (2)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- Victims identified as 44-year-old Jennifer Sue Marsaw of Lexington and her 5-year-old son, Marzai Andrew Dawson.
- Authorities say the suspect is Marsaw’s estranged partner, a 53-year-old Minneapolis man.
- The suspect is being held at the Anoka County Jail and had not yet been formally charged as of Thursday afternoon.
- Investigative agencies listed: Centennial Lakes Police Department, Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office, Hennepin County Medical Examiner's Office, Midwest Regional Forensic Laboratory, and Anoka County Sheriff’s Office.