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$50,000 dangled in hopes of cracking murder of grandma in '01

By PAUL WALSH, Star Tribune

Last update: May 1, 2008 - 2:16 PM

Investigators are hoping the lure of money will help them solve the killing more than seven years ago of a 50-year-old woman whose body was dumped in a Cass County ravine.

A reward of up to $50,000 is being announced today in the hopes of determining who killed Rachel Anthony in 2001.

"Please bring closure to the family and friends of Rachel Anthony, and bring her killer(s) to justice," says a notice publicized today at a news conference in Pine River, where Anthony was last seen.

Anthony was last seen alive in the alley behind the Pine River liquor store, where she worked, on that bitterly cold February night.

In the months before her death, she lived with her daughter Jessica Winch, Winch's husband and their two young children in a house outside of Pine River. She watched over her grandchildren by day and worked at the local liquor store at night.

Authorities say Anthony disappeared about 10 p.m. as she was closing the store. A few minutes before locking up, she went out front to start her car and warm it for the ride home.

Three hours later, a patrol officer spotted the car idling. He went around back to find the back door unlocked and no sign of Anthony.

Her coat, purse and cigarettes were still inside; no cash or merchandise had been taken.

Six weeks later, four teenagers horseback riding found Anthony's body in a ravine near Breezy Point, about 10 miles away.

Authorities listed the cause of death as asphyxia related to homicidal violence.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to call the Cass County Sheriff's Office (1-218-547-1424 or 1-800-450-2677) or the state Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Cold Case Unit (651-793-7000).

Paul Walsh • 612-673-4482