Crime & Safety
'Person of Interest' Named in Missing Oakdale Woman Case, Search Continues
News outlets are reporting that Aaron Schnagl, a friend of Danielle Jelinek, has been named as a person of interest in her disappearance. A third search effort will begin at 9 a.m. Friday morning.
New developments have occurred in the investigation of an Oakdale woman who was last seen on Saturday.
Danielle Jelinek was reported missing on Sunday, Dec. 9, after family could not reach her that day. Jelinek was last seen at a residence in Chisago Lake Township on Saturday with Aaron Schnagl, who has been described as Jelinek's on-again/off-again boyfriend.
The Chisago County Sheriff's Office did a welfare check on Sunday where they found Jelinek's car, purse, shoes and cell phone. They also found Schnagl's car in a nearby ditch, which Schnagl claims was due to his own search of Jelinek that morning, according to a FOX 9 News report.
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Sheriff Rick Duncan described Schnagl as uncooperative. Early on in the investigation Duncan said they did not suspect foul play.
During the search, sheriff's deputies found 12 pounds of marijuana and arrested Schnagl on Monday, according to the Pioneer Press. He was then transported to Chisago County Jail.
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The search warrants state that Schnagl told deputies that he and Jelinek went shopping in Minneapolis on Saturday night before they returned to his house and went to bed around 2:30 a.m., according to FOX 9 News.
Reports also note that investigators found traces of blood inside of Schnagl's car and the house, but it was not enough blood to indicate a struggle, Fox 9 News reports.
Schnagl was transferred to the Anoka County Jail Thursday morning for violating his probation, which he received in 2007 when he pleaded guilty to a first-degree felony drug possession charge in Anoka County, according to the Pioneer Press.
Friends and family continued their second day of searching for Jelinek Thursday afternoon without finding any clues, according to the Danielle Mary Jelinek Search Team Facebook page. The page also announced that they will continue the search at 9 a.m. Friday morning:
We will be meeting at the Chisago City Community Center @ 10825 Lake Boulevard. Chisago City, MN 55013. There will be shuttle busses bringing people to new locations, so please remember to check in at the community center so everyone is accounted for.
Remember to dress warm. Snow Pants, Gloves, Hats, Boots. And Extra Socks, ETC. Drink plenty of water, search safely, and do not search alone. We all appreciate everyone's continued effort.
A call placed from Oakdale Patch to the Chisago County Sheriff's Office has not been returned.
Related:
Day Two: Search Continues for Missing Oakdale Woman Thursday Afternoon
Local Nonprofit Speaks Out to Family of Missing Oakdale Woman
Search Launched Wednesday to Find Missing Oakdale Woman
Sheriff's Office Investigates Oakdale Woman's Disappearance
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