FARGO — A special episode of Dateline titled "Murder in Minot" will air on Friday, May 2, 2025, at 8 p.m. Central Time, exploring the tragic 2007 murder of Anita Knutson and the subsequent trial of her college roommate, Nichole Rice. Correspondent Blayne Alexander will lead the two-hour episode, featuring exclusive interviews with Knutson's family, friends, jury members, and local law enforcement.
The episode synopsis describes the case: "Beloved 18-year-old college student Anita Knutson is found stabbed to death in her apartment. The case takes nearly eighteen years and the undying commitment of friends, family, and investigators to reach resolution." Knutson, who was studying at Minot State University, was discovered dead in her off-campus apartment by her father on June 3, 2007. The murder remained unsolved for years, becoming a cold case until March 16, 2022, when Minot police arrested her roommate, Nichole Rice.
The trial for Rice began on March 17, 2025, but she was acquitted of all charges by a jury after just four hours of deliberation on March 26. The verdict led to an emotional reaction in the courtroom, with Anita's sister, Anna Knutson, expressing that it felt like her sister had died a second time.
According to NBC, Anita Knutson was an 18-year-old freshman at Minot State University, pursuing a degree in Elementary Education. She lived in an off-campus apartment with Nichole Rice, who was also her roommate. The relationship between the two had reportedly been tense, with arguments over their living situation. Before her murder, Anita was very close to her family, particularly her younger sister Anna. Anna recalled that on the weekend of the murder, their father and she were at a baseball tournament, and they hadn't heard from Anita, which was unusual.
On June 4, 2007, when her father, Gordon Knutson, was unable to reach her, he drove to her apartment to check on her. Upon arrival, he found the door locked and, with the help of the building manager, gained access to the apartment. Tragically, he discovered Anita's body lying face down on her bed, with multiple stab wounds. A knife was found in the sink, and the apartment showed no signs of forced entry, leading investigators to suspect that the murder was committed by someone close to Anita.
The investigation revealed that Anita had been stabbed twice in the chest, and the crime scene appeared staged. Initially, authorities believed the murderer might have entered through a cut window screen, but later evidence suggested otherwise. The police conducted extensive interviews with friends and acquaintances, but for years, they found no solid leads.
In 2013, tragedy struck the Knutson family again when Anita's brother committed suicide, a loss that Anna linked to the unresolved pain of her sister's murder. "What haunts me most about the death of my sister is that whoever killed her also took the life of my brother that very day. After she was killed, he was never the same," Anna shared in her interview.
After years of no progress, the investigation was reopened in 2021, and authorities began re-examining evidence. They found inconsistencies in the statements made by Nichole Rice, who had allegedly confessed to a friend while intoxicated. This led to her arrest in March 2022, 15 years after Anita's murder. Minot Police Chief John Klug expressed relief that they had finally arrested a suspect, stating, "Although most of the detectives who worked the original scene and investigation have retired, we have not forgotten about this case. My heart goes out to the family. I wish we could have solved this sooner, but at the same time, I’m glad to say that we have the person responsible for the murder of Anita Knutson in custody."
The trial of Nichole Rice was moved to Grand Forks County due to the high-profile nature of the case. During the proceedings, prosecutors highlighted the strained relationship between Nichole and Anita, citing threatening texts exchanged between the two. Witnesses, including Nichole's former boyfriend, testified that she had made drunken confessions about the murder at a party years earlier. Despite this testimony, Nichole maintained her innocence, claiming she was at her parents' farmhouse at the time of the murder.
On March 26, 2025, after the jury deliberated for just four hours, Nichole Rice was found not guilty. The courtroom erupted in emotion, with many expressing disbelief at the verdict. "Going through the trial felt like my sister died a second time," Anna Knutson said, reflecting the profound impact of the trial on her family.
The upcoming Dateline episode promises to delve into the complexities of the case, featuring insights from those closest to Anita and the investigators who worked tirelessly to bring her murderer to justice. "Murder in Minot" will air on NBC stations and will also be available for streaming on the Peacock app and NBC's website.
As the Knutson family continues to grapple with their loss, the unresolved questions surrounding Anita's murder linger. The case remains a poignant reminder of the impact of violence on families and communities, and the search for justice can often take years, if not decades. The Dateline episode aims to bring renewed attention to Anita's story, ensuring that her memory lives on and that the quest for truth continues.
