Dec. 8: Sister of missing Thief River Falls woman killed in crash

By TIM HARLOW, Star Tribune

Last update: December 8, 2008 - 9:18 PM

The parents of a Thief River Falls woman missing for more than six weeks suffered another tragedy Sunday when the youngest of their three daughters was killed in a one-vehicle crash.

Officials with the Pennington County Sheriff's Office confirmed that Jill Lappegaard, 22, died around 2 a.m., but provided no other details about the crash. Lappegaard is the sister of Gina Anderson, who has been missing since late October.

Lappegaard was on her way to a friend's house when her vehicle left Hwy. 32 somewhere between Thief River Falls and Red Lake Falls. The vehicle struck something in the median and flipped. Lappegaard was ejected through the windshield. She was found about five hours later when a passing motorist came upon the scene, said Lappegaard's sister Jackie Pagel, 29.

Jill Lappegaard was the youngest of Steve and Judy Lappegaard's daughters, and was heavily involved in planning a benefit to raise money to cover expenses incurred for the search for older sister Gina Anderson. The Hope For Gina Benefit, scheduled from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Eagles Club in Thief River Falls, will go on, Pagel said.

"Jill really took charge of that," Pagel said. "She had been my parent's rock through this whole thing. This is unreal. It seems like a bad dream and I just can't wake up."

Lappegaard had worked in the customer service department at Digi-Key in Thief River Falls, and described her sister as "fun and bubbly." The two had recently teamed with Jackie to create the website helpfindgina.com to spread the word about their missing sister and hopefully get information as to her whereabouts.

Gina Anderson was last seen at 2:30 p.m. Oct. 23 when she left home in her yellow Pontiac Sunfire without her purse, credit cards, identification and anti-seizure medication.

Scores of well-wishers have logged on to offer support and express condolences.

"Words cannot express the heartache that we feel for your family. We are praying for Gina and her return, and we hope you find strength to endure this tragic loss. Gods blessings to you and yours."

Funeral arrangements for Lappegaard are pending.

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