In the early morning hours of March 18, 2026, the life of 44-year-old Jennifer Sue Marsaw was tragically cut short in her Circle Pines, Minnesota home. The violence that unfolded also claimed the life of her 5-year-old son, Marzai Andrew Dawson. Responding to a harrowing 911 call from one of Marsaw's children just before 1 a.m., officers from the Centennial Lakes Police Department and Anoka County Sheriff's Office arrived at the residence on Ryan Place to a devastating scene.
They found Jennifer Marsaw deceased from a gunshot wound to the chest. Young Marzai was discovered with critical injuries and, despite being rushed to a nearby hospital, he was later pronounced dead.
The suspect in this double homicide was quickly identified as Irving Van Marsaw, 53, of Minneapolis, described in official reports as Jennifer's estranged partner. According to accounts from one of Jennifer’s children, the hours leading up to the fatal shooting were fraught with tension. An argument the previous day had resulted in Irving Marsaw being forced to leave the home. Later that evening, a phone conversation was overheard where Jennifer allegedly told Irving she was "going to trial," to which he reportedly responded, "bet," before hanging up. This exchange followed a documented history of domestic abuse, with Jennifer having previously filed for restraining orders against Irving, citing threats to her life and the lives of her children.
Following the shooting, Irving Marsaw fled the scene, prompting a search of the surrounding area by law enforcement, including a K-9 unit. He was apprehended in a wooded area nearby and taken into custody. While in custody, he reportedly made statements suggesting the killings occurred "in the heat of passion." Investigators later recovered a 9mm handgun in the woods along his path of flight. Irving Van Marsaw has been charged with two counts of second-degree murder with intent. The Anoka County Attorney's Office is prosecuting the case.
