Former US Army medic Danicka Bergeson, 33, was found dead, wrapped up in blankets on her bed. Courtesy Bergeson Family
According to New York Post on Monday, August 28, 2023, a former Army medic was allegedly murdered by her abusive ex-boyfriend just days after he was released from jail for assaulting her, according to prosecutors in Minnesota.
33-year-old Danicka Bergeson, a veteran who served as a medic in the U.S. Army, was found dead in her apartment in Hopkins, Minnesota on July 8.
Her body was tightly wrapped in blankets and a comforter on her bed. Police detected an overwhelming smell of bleach coming from the bathroom, where they found Bergeson’s 39-year-old ex-boyfriend, Matthew Brenneman.
He had drunk bleach and had scratches on his face, arms, legs, and back consistent with fingernail marks.
Bloody men’s clothing and a note were found in the apartment.
In the note, Brenneman professed his love for Bergeson but said he “blacked out and lost control and sadly hurt a woman for the first time.” An earlier draft of the note was found in the trash.
Brenneman had recently been released from jail on June 27 after pleading guilty to attacking Bergeson in their home in April and May.
He had punched, bitten, and choked her, threatening to kill her. Despite the abuse, Bergeson stayed with Brenneman because she “had a very kind heart” and wanted to “fix people,” according to her father, David Bergeson.
Prosecutors had agreed to no additional jail time if Brenneman didn’t violate a no-contact order.
But cell phone records show he was near Bergeson’s apartment two days after his release, between June 29 and July 8 when she was killed.
Matthew Brenneman faces two counts of second-degree murder. Photo Credit by Hennepin County Sheriff
Bergeson’s father criticized authorities for not imposing serious consequences on Brenneman for the previous abuse.
He described his adopted daughter as succeeding academically and athletically before joining the Army.
She later earned an animal science degree and worked at a vet clinic until quitting due to a service-related back injury.
According to her dad, Bergeson “had a real zest for life” and all the gifts you could want in a daughter.
Brenneman now faces two second-degree murder charges and remains jailed on $1.5 million bail for Bergeson’s murder, as well as without bail pending sentencing for the previous domestic abuse cases.
