SAINT PAUL (September 19, 2003) — Minnesota Public Safety Commissioner Rich Stanek, together with the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and criminal investigators from Minneapolis and Wright County, today announced $100,000 in rewards for information that could help close two unsolved Minnesota murders. Up to $50,000 will be offered in each of the following cases:

Jeffrey Hammill (Wright County) - Hammill, 21, was last seen leaving a gathering in Montrose around 2:00 a.m. on August 11, 1979. The evening before he was at a bar in Rockford. It is believed he was picked up while walking home to Buffalo, eventually ending up at the gathering in Montrose. Anyone with information should contact the Wright County Sheriff’s Office at (763) 682-1162 or the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, Cold Case Unit at (651) 793-7000.

Helen Mary Dahl (Minneapolis) - Dahl, 79, was found murdered in the basement of her Minneapolis apartment building on February 11, 1994. She had been strangled and sexually assaulted. Anyone with information should contact the Minneapolis Police Dept. Homicide Unit at (612) 673-2941 or the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, Cold Case Unit at (651) 793-7000.

“In both instances it’s likely there are people who have information that could prove critical to resolving these cases,” said Stanek. “With this large amount of money and the visibility that comes with offering these rewards, we hope people who know something come forward and help bring closure for the Hammill and Dahl families.”

According to Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Superintendent Michael Campion rewards are effective for getting people to share information with investigators. “The recent arrest of a Wisconsin man for the kidnapping of his son is a local example of how money helps get people to talk,” Campion said. “A reward led someone in Ohio to alert authorities and reunite a little boy with his mom and family.”

Spotlight on Crime (www.spotlightoncrime.org) is a fund established by several Minnesota businesses in conjunction with state and local law enforcement officials to reenergize cases where investigations have grown cold.

“Closing tough cases where the leads have grown cold and resources are stretched to the limit is a difficult challenge for law enforcement,” said Nate Garvis, vice president of government affairs at Target Corporation, a lead sponsor of Spotlight on Crime. “That’s why Minnesota’s business community has come together to provide law enforcement with additional resources to help bring justice to the families of these victims.”

Spotlight on Crime only focuses on crimes that remain unsolved after other investigative efforts have been exhausted. Only violent crimes against innocent victims are considered. Since October 2001, more than $800,000 has been offered in 16 murder cases, including the two cases being announced (additional information is available at www.spotlightoncrime.org).

The Spotlight on Crime Fund is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization administered by the Minneapolis Foundation. Donations to the fund, which may come from any individual, corporation, foundation or other source, are tax deductible. Donations to the Spotlight on Crime fund are welcome.

To make a donation, contact the Minneapolis Foundation at (612) 672-3878.

For more information on Spotlight on Crime, contact the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension at (651) 793-7000 or visit www.spotlightoncrime.org.

Spotlight on Crime is a fund that provides cash rewards for information that helps solve violent crimes. It is a collaboration between members of the Minnesota Business Partnership and public safety officials.