Southwest Minnesota man is accused of killing a girlfriend at the home where he was house-sitting

A 35-year-old man is accused of killing his girlfriend in Edgerton on Saturday.

Joseph James Benson is charged with second-degree murder in Pipestone County District Court.

As previously reported, officers responded to a report of a domestic assault at a home on 1st Avenue West just before noon Saturday.

The owner of the home had called police and said that Benson and his girlfriend lived at the home and that Benson had sent her a Snapchat saying he had killed her. Court documents say that when they arrived at the scene, they found Benson pinned in a patrol car and saw scratches on his face. Benson reportedly told officers that the scratches were from his girlfriend and that “there’s a body upstairs.”

Officers found a deceased woman on the bathroom floor. An extension cord was wrapped around her legs, there were also stains on her neck and blood in her ear and hair. The cause of death was determined to be likely asphyxia and the manner of death was listed as homicide.

The owner of the home told investigators that she had asked Benson to work as a house sitter during their vacation in Florida and that he had brought his girlfriend with him.

The two had an argument and the homeowner told them to break up. Court documents say she told investigators Benson called her 20 minutes later and said his girlfriend was “gone.” Benson said the victim was still in the house and “she wouldn’t stop screaming and I can’t go back to jail.”

While executing a search warrant on Benson’s phone, investigators found a video he recorded of the two arguing on the day of the murder.

In the video, Benson can be seen following the woman saying, “Do it, look at the bruises on my face because he hit me again,” court documents say. The video showed obvious marks on her face.

Benson then went back into the house and the woman followed him. Then the woman was heard screaming, “Stop, please stop.” I didn’t tell anyone; I didn’t tell anyone.”

The video shows the woman lying on the floor crying and apparently unable to stand, court documents say.

Benson was heard saying, “They were literally trying to break in,” and the woman cried and said, “I didn’t tell anyone,” while urging Benson to call 911.

Investigators also found text messages from Benson to his ex-wife.

At 10:55 a.m. he wrote: “If you could ever be a friend please let it be, now I have never needed you more in my life.” [than] This.” Benson’s ex-wife asked what he meant, to which he replied, “I need a friend, something happened.”

When his ex-wife asked what happened, Benson replied, “I can’t say if you can call me” and “It’s absolutely terrible.”