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Murdered While Her Children Slept, Tina Slaughter's Still Unsolved 1985 Murder Continues to Baffle Minneapolis

Tina Slaughter, a mother of two young boys, was attacked in her home on the evening of July 11, 1985. Only 27 years old, Tina was home with her children when an intruder broke in and stabbed her multiple times in the very early morning.

The day Tina was attacked. Having just celebrated her mother's birthday the day before, Tina and her boys were at home asleep when an intruder broke in. Tina was first attacked in her bed and then managed to make it to another room where she was continually stabbed. Detectives say that Tina was able to escape the home and run to the neighbor's home, where they called 911, although a newspaper report from 1985 reports that Tina made the initial call from her phone and then a neighbor called.

Thankfully, her two sons, Duane and Marcellus, were unharmed in the home—and found asleep by police who canvassed the home. A suspect was seen running from the apartment building, and it is believed that Tina's case may be linked to a series of other robberies in the area, as her TV was taken. 

Where the case stands today. In 2016, after a re-examination of the case, DNA was discovered subsequently tested from an item found at the scene. Part of the challenge now is to compare the DNA discovered to whoever was in the building that night. Investigators are hoping that the last 30+ years will prove that someone has talked to someone about this crime and they are willing to come forward. Tina's family is still searching for answers in her 1985 murder, and unfortunately, her oldest son Duane was killed in 2001.

Do you know someone who lived in the apartment building where Tina was murdered at 1712 Fremont Avenue North in 1985
Please contact MPD Tip Line at 612-692-TIPS (8477), or submit a tip through Crime Stoppers by texting “Tip747 plus your tip” to 274637 if you have information about Tina’s death.

Tina Slaughter is stabbed multiple times during a burglary of her home on July 11, 1985. She does not survive her injuries and the suspect fled the scene. 

Tina is stabbed multiple times by an apparent burglary

Police arrive shortly after 5:00 am to find slaughter in a nightgown, lying in a hallway with her door ajar.  She is semi-conscious and bleeding heavily from multiple stab wounds.	

Tina flees to neighbors and 911 is called

Witnesses see a suspect enter Slaughter's building shortly before the attack and the suspect is later seen leaving with a TV set	

Someone is seen leaving Tina's apartment building with a TV set

Tina succumbs to her injuries just hours after she is attacked.

Tina dies from her injuries at the hospital

The television,  a portable color set that belonged to Tina, is recovered in an alley near a garage at 1706 Fremont, two blocks from Slaughter's apartment building. 

Television stolen from Tina's apartment is located in alley

Noble Watts shoots Duane Slaughter, Tina's son, in the head after they fight over a gun. Watts claims some sort of conspiracy theory between Duane and another guy.

Tina's son is shot to death after fighting over gun

After the 30th anniversary of Tina's death, her brother, Courtney Slaughter, gathers family members and marches into the Minneapolis Police Department. While at the police department, Sergeant Jane Moore agrees to take her case, and begin testing evidence taken from the scene of the crime. 

Tina's family demand answers in her death

New DNA tests reveal the presence of another person in Slaughter's home

Tina shared her home with 2 small children.

The television, a portable color set that belonged to her, was recovered in an alley near a garage at 1706 Fremont, two blocks from Slaughter's apartment building.

Stolen TV Set Found In Alley (Approx. Location)

Hospital Tina was taken to after she was attacked. Tina succumbed to her injuries shortly after arriving at the hospital. 

4th Precinct of the Minneapolis Police Department, who leads the investigation in Tina's death. 

Minneapolis Police Department - 4th Precinct

A young mother is killed during a burglary in Minneapolis

Tina Slaughter [Vittini Doreen Slaughter] was a single mother of two young boys Duane 7 and Marcellus 4, she loved to talk on the phone and spend time with friends and family.

Tina's son, who was shot and killed after an argument in 2001. 

A drawing was released of the subject in July of 1985

Tina's brother, who led the fight for answers with the Minneapolis Police Department, and convinced investigators to test evidence taken from the scene in 1985. 

Former Sergeant of the Minneapolis Police Department, who agreed to reinvestigate Tina's case after being approached by her brother, Courtney. 

Former lead investigator in Tina's case. Chris retired from the police force in 2020, and unfortunately passed away in December of 2021 from natural causes. 

Minnesota

Black women and girls do not receive the same resources and attention that other groups receive. Learn more and share the stories of other missing black women and girls. 

Learn About Other Black & Missing Females

Anyone with information is asked to submit a tip anonymously by calling the MPD  Tip Line at 612-692-TIPS (8477) or text MPD and your tip to 847411.

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Share Her Story

Download the Uncovered Citizen Detective Guide to learn more about how thoughtful and safe online sleuthing.

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Murdered While Her Children Slept, Tina Slaughter's Still Unsolved 1985 Murder Continues to Baffle Minneapolis

Tina Slaughter, a mother of two young boys, was attacked in her home on the evening of July 11, 1985. Only 27 years old, Tina was home with her children when an intruder broke in and stabbed her multiple times in the very early morning.

Tina Slaughter

Having just celebrated her mother's birthday the day before, Tina and her boys were at home asleep when an intruder broke in. Tina was first attacked in her bed and then managed to make it to another room where she was continually stabbed. Detectives say that Tina was able to escape the home and run to the neighbor's home, where they called 911, although a newspaper report from 1985 reports that Tina made the initial call from her phone and then a neighbor called.

Thankfully, her two sons, Duane and Marcellus, were unharmed in the home—and found asleep by police who canvassed the home. A suspect was seen running from the apartment building, and it is believed that Tina's case may be linked to a series of other robberies in the area, as her TV was taken.

In 2016, after a re-examination of the case, DNA was discovered and subsequently tested from an item found at the scene. Part of the challenge now is to compare the DNA discovered to whoever was in the building that night. Investigators are hoping that the last 30+ years will prove that someone has talked to someone about this crime and they are willing to come forward. Tina's family is still searching for answers in her 1985 murder, and unfortunately, her oldest son Duane was killed in 2001.

Do you know someone who lived in the apartment building where Tina was murdered at 1712 Fremont Avenue North in 1985

Please contact MPD Tip Line at 612-692-TIPS (8477), or submit a tip through Crime Stoppers by texting “Tip747 plus your tip” to 274637 if you have information about Tina’s death.

Tina Slaughter

Timeline

July 11, 1985

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Sources of Information

July 11, 1985

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July 11, 1985

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July 11, 1985

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July 11, 1985

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July 10, 2001

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December 2015

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August 2016

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Tina's Home/Location Of Her Murder