By Joe Morey News Editor
In honor and recognition of her cousin, Desiree “Desi” Frederick, who was murdered in Alexandria, MN, on Nov. 24th of 2023, Sara Wuorinen is seeking to create a Murdered and Missing Indigenous Relatives (MMIW) license plate in Wisconsin.
Wuorinen needs a petition of 500 signatures to get the plate made in Wisconsin. She said Minnesota, where Desi resided, currently has an MMIR plate.
Desi Frederick was brutally stabbed to death in her home where she was staying with a 78-year-old man who was a relative. He told police he didn't witness the attack but saw an unknown man flee the scene.
Police say the 60-year-old Desi was murdered in a trailer the day after Thanksgiving and that she was dropped off there at 9:15 p.m., and an hour later, someone called 911. There has still been no arrests made in connection with her death.
“I need to obtain of minimum of 500 Wisconsin residents for the creation of this license plate and eventually raise $15,500 for the cost of it that goes to the WI DOT (at a later date, the fundraiser will be created),” Wuorinen stated. Here is the link to the petition https://www.change.org/mmiwlicenseplatewi
In the petition, Wuorinen writes, “Desi was an enrolled band member of the Sisseton-Wapheton Oyate of the Lake Traverse Reservation. The assailant of her murder remains unknown. I currently reside in the state of Wisconsin, where there are no current license plates to honor the cause of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives (MMIR). This is not just about Desi; it's about all Indigenous persons who have been victims of violence.
“Wisconsin is home to 11 tribes of Indigenous people. Yet despite their significant presence, awareness around the issue of MMIR remains low. It's a shocking reality that 82% of American Indian and Alaska Native men and women reported experiences of violent victimization in their lifetime.
“The creation of a special license plate dedicated to MMIR would serve as an everyday reminder for all Wisconsin residents about this ongoing crisis within our communities. It would help raise awareness and spark conversations that could lead to meaningful change.
“We need your support now more than ever. By signing this petition, you're not just supporting the creation of a new license plate - you're standing up for justice and equality for all indigenous women across our state.
“I am asking for at least 500 signatures from fellow Wisconsinites so we can bring light to this important cause together. Please sign this petition today – to honor all indigenous relatives that have been victims of violence, so no more indigenous relatives go missing or go murdered unnoticed or unremembered.”
According to a Twin Cities TV station, KARE-11, Desi was well-liked in Alexandria as a long-time server at various restaurants.
"It's awful. Honestly when I heard about it, I was like, 'Did you say the right name? Desiree? Are you sure it's her?'" said friend and former co-worker Nicole Caye.
"I just miss her. The fact we're never going to see her ever again. It's tough. She was such a good person. This shouldn't happen to anybody, but especially Desi," said Heather Michels, another friend and former co-worker.
"She cheered louder than anybody. Very passionate," Michels said of her being an avid Vikings fan.
The KARE-11 article stated Alexandria Police Chief Scott Kent said the department has over well over 300 hours of work and labor put into the investigation.
Chief Kent said his investigators, with the help of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, are conducting a complex investigation. Search warrants show a number of knives seized from the trailer, orders for DNA testing and a search of cell phones being used in the area. They are also going through hours of surveillance footage.
"This is extremely important. We don't have murders or homicides that happen very often in our small community. However, it's extremely important we finish this the right way," Chief Kent told KARE-11
Desi's friends hope the investigation ends with an arrest soon.
"Justice needs to be served for her," Caye said.
Images from KARE-11 News Story.