On February 1, 2011, the life of 26-year-old Nicole Marie Meier, a White/Caucasian female, was tragically cut short in a violent act that unfolded in a Circle Pines, Minnesota townhouse. A graduate of St. Cloud State University with a degree in Management and Human Resources, Nicole had been working in the Payroll/Benefits department at Japs-Olson in St. Louis Park since 2006.
She was remembered for her contagious smile and her love for the outdoors, including hunting and fishing.
The circumstances leading to her death began to unfold after she ended her relationship with her former boyfriend, 36-year-old Jesse David Oakley, in the summer of 2010. Due to concerns for her safety, Nicole had requested police assistance when she moved out of the home they had shared. On the day of her death, she had gone to Oakley's residence to collect back rent that he owed her. Apprehensive about meeting him alone, she had informed her coworkers of her plans. When she did not show up for work the following day, her colleagues, fearing for her safety, contacted the authorities.
Upon conducting a welfare check at the townhouse, police discovered the bodies of both Nicole Marie Meier and Jesse David Oakley. Both had sustained fatal gunshot wounds to the head. The investigation concluded that Oakley had shot and killed Meier before taking his own life in a murder-suicide. Authorities found two 9-millimeter handguns at the scene, despite Oakley being under a protective order from his ex-wife that required him to surrender his firearms.
Further investigation into Oakley's background revealed a documented history of violence, including incidents involving his ex-wife. Notes found in his home indicated an obsession with both his ex-wife and Nicole, painting a grim picture of his escalating behavior. No other suspects were sought in connection with Nicole's death, as the case was classified as a murder-suicide perpetrated by Jesse David Oakley.
