A suspect has been arrested and charged with Anita's murder. Nichole Erin Rice, 34, has been charged with Class AA murder in the stabbing death of her childhood friend and roommate, Knutson, in June 2007.

Minot Police officer Mikali Talbott laid out the case against Rice, who remained a person of interest in the case for years. Evidence from the scene and inconsistencies in Rice's statements and alibi led Talbott to conclude that Rice had access to Knutson's apartment on the night of the murder. The relationship between Rice and Knutson had become strained, with conflicts over small issues and Rice calling Knutson names. The state's case also relies on a DNA sample collected from the murder weapon that matched Rice and a drunken confession Rice made to a party-goer.