Scott County Grand Jury Indicts Man for First-Degree Murder in Death of Woman Found in Jordan Outbuilding
Published: April 16th 2026
SCOTT COUNTY MN : A Scott County grand jury has indicted John Peterson on one count of first-degree murder in connection with the death of Tabatha Renee Justice, whose body was found earlier this year at her former home in Jordan, Minnesota.
According to a press release from the Scott County Attorney’s Office, the charge stems from an investigation that began on January 28, 2025, when Jordan Police responded to a missing person report for Justice. She had not been seen in over a month, with her last known contact reported on December 10, 2024.
Officers responded to her last known address on Quaker Avenue, where the property appeared abandoned. A responding officer located Justice deceased inside an outbuilding. Authorities reported her body was stiff and frozen, and she had sustained a gunshot wound to the back of her head. A spent 9mm shell casing marked “AMMO INC 9mm LUGER” was found near her body.
Investigators interviewed multiple individuals who knew Justice and learned she had been involved in a relationship with a man known as “Nico.” Witnesses described the individual as controlling and physically aggressive, and stated he had accused Justice of infidelity, removed her from his home, and continued to contact and follow her afterward. Investigators later identified “Nico” as John Peterson.
During the investigation, law enforcement executed a search of Peterson’s property, where a silver Smith & Wesson 9mm handgun was recovered, along with multiple spent 9mm casings bearing the same “AMMO INC 9mm LUGER” marking.
The Hennepin County Medical Examiner ruled Justice’s death a homicide caused by a gunshot wound to the back of the head.
In a statement, Scott County Attorney Ron Hocevar said, “Peterson and Ms. Justice were more than acquaintances — and to resort to murder over any kind of dispute or misunderstanding is beyond awful. The facts of this case were carefully presented to the grand jury, which determined this charge is appropriate.”
Jordan Police Chief Brett Empey added, “I’m extremely pleased with the grand jury’s decision to indict John Peterson for first-degree murder. This is an important additional step towards gaining rightful justice for Tabatha, for her family, and for her loved ones.”
Hocevar also stated that Peterson will now face consequences for what prosecutors allege was the intentional killing of Justice, adding that the office will continue working to uphold the law in the case.
defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.