Overview of The Deck: Anita Carlson (10 of Spades, Minnesota)
This episode of The Deck revisits the unsolved 1987 murder of 22-year-old Anita Carlson in Bemidji, Minnesota. What began as a missing-person search over Fourth of July weekend turned into a homicide investigation after Anita’s body was found in nearby woods. Nearly 40 years later, investigators are still working the case, weighing whether this was a random crime of opportunity or something more deliberate.
What Happened to Anita Carlson
- Anita Carlson had recently graduated from Bemidji State University and was working a late shift at Pete’s Place, a gas station/convenience store at the crossroads of Highways 2 and 89.
- On the night of June 30, 1987, she called her roommate around 10:30 p.m. and said she’d be home soon after closing.
- The next morning, staff found clear signs that something was wrong:
- Anita’s car was still there
- The store had not been properly closed
- The register was open and money was missing
- Anita’s purse was left behind
- Anita was gone
At first, the case was treated as a missing-person investigation, but the circumstances quickly suggested foul play.
Discovery of the Crime
- Massive searches were launched across wooded and roadside areas around Bemidji.
- On July 5, a local man searching the area found Anita’s body about two miles from Pete’s Place.
- An autopsy determined that:
- She had been sexually assaulted
- She had been shot twice in the head
- She likely died the same night she disappeared
Because of the time that passed before she was found, investigators could not determine definitively whether she was killed where she was discovered or taken there afterward.
Investigation and Early Leads
Investigators interviewed Anita’s family, coworkers, boyfriend/fiancé, and several customers who had been at the store that night. The timeline they pieced together showed:
- Multiple customers came and went normally before closing
- The final known transaction happened after closing, around 11:08 p.m.
- The open register and missing cash suggested Anita may have been confronted during or after a sale
The biggest question remained: If the robbery was the motive, why was Anita abducted and killed?
The Main Suspect: “The Good Doctor”
One of the most important leads came from Anita’s roommate, Tina, who told police about a man Anita called “the good doctor.”
Why he stood out
- He reportedly came into Pete’s Place frequently
- He gave Anita his business card
- He offered to take her for rides in his car
- Anita seemed uncomfortable around him
- His business card was later found in Anita’s trash, with the name Dr. Stephen M. Burnham
Burnham turned out to be one of Anita’s final customers the night she disappeared.
What investigators learned about him
Police uncovered that Burnham had lied extensively about his life:
- Claimed to have a PhD from Arizona State — false
- Claimed to have attended Bemidji State — no record
- Claimed to be honorably discharged from the Army — false
- Claimed to have a Purple Heart and Vietnam tours — false
- Claimed CIA and Defense Department clearance — exaggerated or false
He later admitted:
- He had been trying to “impress” people
- He had approached Anita to “hustle” her
- He was deeply in debt
- He had multiple affairs
He also failed a polygraph, and investigators noted that his wife also showed deception in her own interview. Despite all of this, Burnham was never definitively tied to the murder.
Other Persons of Interest
The case file contains decades of names, tips, and rumors. Two other men repeatedly surfaced:
- Billy Thunder
- John Jordane
Jordane had a prior burglary conviction connected to Pete’s Place, but both men had alibis.
Another later lead involved Ken Hawkins, a man incarcerated in Minnesota who reportedly claimed he assaulted and killed a woman in a convenience store. He had a prior sexual assault conviction and was interviewed, but he was never ruled in or out.
Why the Case Remains Unsolved
Current investigators from the Beltrami County Sheriff’s Office and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) say:
- The case remains active
- They have collected and re-examined evidence over time
- They are holding back some details intentionally to preserve investigative value
- Ballistics testing and other forensic work have been done, but results are not publicly disclosed
Their view is that the answer may already be in the original 1987 interviews, but they still need a critical piece of information from someone who knows more than they have told police.
Legacy and Impact
Anita’s murder had a lasting impact on the Bemidji community:
- Some store owners changed policies about women working alone at night
- Her death deeply affected her family, especially her brother Dale
- Her funeral was held in both Bemidji and her hometown
- She is remembered as bright, ambitious, funny, musical, and deeply faith-driven
The episode emphasizes how Anita’s life was full of promise: she wanted to work in television production and build a future for herself.
Current Status
- The case is still unsolved after nearly four decades
- Investigators believe tips still matter, because witnesses and people with knowledge may finally be ready to speak
- The episode frames the case as both a cold case and an active investigation
How to Help
If you have information about Anita Carlson’s murder, contact the Minnesota BCA tip line:
- Phone: 1-877-996-6222
- Email: bca.tips@state.mn.us