In the winter of 2021, the life of 25-year-old Minda Michelle Miller of Saint Joseph, Missouri, was tragically cut short. On the evening of February 23rd, police responded to a call at the intersection of 11th and Seneca Streets and discovered Minda bleeding from a critical head wound. She was rushed to Mosaic Life Care hospital, where she fought for her life for several days before succumbing to her injuries on March 1, 2021.
The investigation into her shooting quickly focused on her
boyfriend, 33-year-old Michael Hadden. According to police reports, the couple had been arguing earlier in the day. A witness at the scene of the shooting told authorities they saw Hadden fire a single shot from a car before speeding away. It was revealed that Hadden was already on probation and parole for unlawful possession of a firearm and had a criminal history spanning New York, Kansas, and Missouri.
Following a search, St. Joseph police officers located and arrested Hadden without incident on the night of March 2nd. The following day, Buchanan County Prosecutor Ron Holiday filed a formal charge of second-degree murder against him. The case proceeded through the legal system, culminating in a plea deal. However, a Buchanan County Circuit Court Judge initially rejected the agreement due to inconsistencies between Hadden's account and the case details. An amended deal was eventually approved, and Michael Hadden was sentenced to 20 years in prison for the murder of Minda Miller.
Minda’s death left a profound void in the lives of her family, including her two young children who were just three and five years old at the time. Her family described her as a fun-loving, adventurous, and free-spirited person who was beautiful inside and out. In the wake of their devastating loss, Minda's family has continued to honor her memory, holding candlelight vigils and speaking out against gun violence in the hope of preventing other families from experiencing similar tragedies.
