GRAND FORKS 鈥� ABC's 20/20 will be telling the story tonight behind the infamous kidnapping and murder of Dru Sjodin, a University of North Dakota college student.
Sjodin was kidnapped on Nov. 22, 2003, after completing her shift at the Grand Forks mall. Later that night, she was reported missing by her roommate.
ADVERTISEMENT
From that day, a search ensued to find Sjodin and the person responsible for her disappearance.
It didn't take long for investigators to hone in on the main suspect in the case. One week later, law enforcement questioned Alfonso Rodriguez, a known sex offender.
Rodriguez had just been released from a 23-prison sentence stemming from the rape and kidnapping of another woman. Rodriguez was also seen on security footage waiting outside of a Target, located within eyesight of the mall, just before Sjodin was taken.
Sjodin's body was found five months later in a ravine located near Rodriguez's family home in Crookston, Minnesota.
After shopping at the mall, she vanished. Now, go inside the hunt to catch a killer鈥efore he kills again.
— 20/20 (@ABC2020)
Our all-new 鈥淢issing from the Mall鈥� with premieres Friday at 9/8c on . Stream later on .
Rodriguez had crossed state lines. Following a conviction for the kidnapping and murder of Sjodin, Rodriguez received the death penalty.
He remained on death row until early 2023. After 15 years of appeals, Rodriguez's death sentence was revoked. He is now serving a life sentence, without the possibility for parole.
Sjodin was described as a small town girl from Pequot Lakes, Minnesota. In the aftermath of her kidnapping and murder, friends and family members described her as a kind and loving young woman.
ADVERTISEMENT
The 20/20 episode is airing tonight, Friday, Jan. 12, at 8 p.m. Central Time. It will be available to stream on Hulu on Saturday.
To view Forum Communication's thorough and ongoing coverage of Dru Sjodin's story, go here.
The Trust Project
