Anita Carlson (10 of Spades, Minnesota)

In late June 1987, the town of Bemidji, Minnesota, was gearing up for Independence Day weekend. Celebrations quickly turned to panic when Anita Carlson, a college graduate with hopes of working in TV production, went missing from her nighttime job at Pete’s Place, a convenience store at the intersection of Highways 2 and 89. 

By the end of the weekend, Anita had been found dead. Nearly 40 years later, investigators are still trying to figure out what happened that night.

Kevin Nguyen is featured as the 10 of Spades.
Anita Carlson is featured as the 10 of clubs. Source: Crime Stoppers of Minnesota

Episode Info

Anyone with information about the death of Anita Carlson should call Crime Stoppers of Minnesota: 800-222-8477, or the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension tip line is 1-877-996-6222.

Anita Carlson had recently celebrated her graduation from Bemidji State University. She was valedictorian of her high school class, an honors student, and a former weather girl for Bemidji State University. She posed at her graduation with her grandparents. Courtesy: Dale and Lisa Carlson

Anita Carlson had recently celebrated her graduation from Bemidji State University. She was valedictorian of her high school class, an honors student, and a former weather girl for Bemidji State University. She posed at her graduation with her grandparents. Courtesy: Dale and Lisa Carlson
Dale Carlson and his wife, Lisa Carlson, remember Anita as someone with unbounded promise, about to get her start in the world. She was fun – she loved to make people laugh, and could play piano by ear. She had aspirations of working in TV production. From left to right: Anita, Lisa, and Dale Carlson. Courtesy: Dale and Lisa Carlson

Dale Carlson and his wife, Lisa Carlson, remember Anita as someone with unbounded promise, about to get her start in the world. She was fun – she loved to make people laugh, and could play piano by ear. She had aspirations of working in TV production. From left to right: Anita, Lisa, and Dale Carlson. Courtesy: Dale and Lisa Carlson
The year before Anita was abducted from Pete’s Place, the convenience store was broken into. The burglars broke glass and took beer, cigarettes, and 24 pairs of sunglasses. Source: Beltrami County Sheriff’s Office

The year before Anita was abducted from Pete’s Place, the convenience store was broken into. The burglars broke glass and took beer, cigarettes, and 24 pairs of sunglasses. Source: Beltrami County Sheriff’s Office
Anita Carlson was finishing up the late shift at Pete’s Place, a gas station and convenience store at the crossroads of Highways 2 and 89, the night of June 30, 1987. She normally locked up around 11 p.m., before heading home for the night. Source: Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension

Anita Carlson was finishing up the late shift at Pete’s Place, a gas station and convenience store at the crossroads of Highways 2 and 89, the night of June 30, 1987. She normally locked up around 11 p.m., before heading home for the night. Source: Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension
Pete’s Place sits at the intersection of Highways 2 and 89. After Anita Carlson went missing, investigators traced the final customers the night of June 30, 1987. One remains unknown: Whoever spent $43.17 at 11:08 p.m. Source: Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.

Pete’s Place sits at the intersection of Highways 2 and 89. After Anita Carlson went missing, investigators traced the final customers the night of June 30, 1987. One remains unknown: Whoever spent $43.17 at 11:08 p.m. Source: Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.

Episode Source Material