St. Paul woman's death 'suspicious'; husband suspected

The death in the couple's townhouse hasn't yet been officially ruled a homicide, and no arrest has been made.

By CHAO XIONG, Star Tribune

Last update: November 3, 2009 - 8:02 PM

Jean Wassenaar's prolific activism was balanced by her husband's retiring demeanor, say those who know them. Gerry Wassenaar was a quiet man content with letting his wife take the spotlight, but the many people in her life didn't know much about her husband.

On Tuesday, St. Paul police said Gerry Wassenaar, 67, is the prime suspect in his wife's death Monday. Police spokesman Sgt. Paul Schnell said the death is "clearly suspicious," but has not been officially ruled a homicide. Autopsy reports have not been released.

Police responded to the couple's townhouse in the 1000 block of Barclay Street about 9:30 p.m. Monday on a report of a person down inside. They found Gerry outside. He told authorities he was locked out.

Officers entered the home through a window, Schnell said, and found Jean Wassenaar, 67, who was pronounced dead at the scene. Schnell would not say how she may have died, just that "it wasn't immediately obvious" that she had been hurt.

Gerry was taken to Regions Hospital in St. Paul for evaluation because of his emotional state. He has not been arrested.

"He was despondent, so officers had a hard time communicating with him," Schnell said.

Leah Schultze, who lives next door to the Wassenaars, said the couple never caused problems, and nothing appeared unusual, she said, adding that all of her contact was with Jean. Police report no prior calls to the home.

"Just a nice lady," Schultze said of Jean.

Schultze said that the Wassenaars' garage door sustained a large dent sometime between Monday morning and the time of the police call. Schnell declined to say whether that might be related to the death.

The Wassenaars moved into the townhouse because they wanted a one-level home, said Ron Hick, who lived in the same condo development as the Wassenaars in south Minneapolis. Hick and the Wassenaars moved into a Clinton Avenue development in 1985.

Jean served as condo president, secretary and, recently, treasurer, for about 20 years, said Hick, president of the condo association.

"She was a real leader," he said. "People trusted her to be fair and discreet."

As treasurer, she brokered payment compromises between the association and financially strapped residents, Hick said, and earned the distinction of being the only treasurer whose service received no complaints. Friends said she has a son, who did not return calls seeking comment.

Jean worked at Thomson Reuters in Eagan and was a licensed attorney. Her volunteerism focused on helping the disenfranchised and included work as an attorney for Minneapolis Legal Aid, as an organizer and board member with a tenants union, and as a board member of the Powderhorn Residents Group and the Southside Family Nurturing Center.

"She was very committed to issues around children and family," said Barb Olson, executive director of the Southside Family Nurturing Center. "We will miss her greatly."

Chao Xiong • 612-673-4391

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