On June 1st, 1992, 5 year old Corrine Erstad was biking in Inver Grove Heights near Skyview Park when she was believed to have been kidnapped, raped, and murdered. Corrine Erstad’s DNA and blood was found in 24 year old Robert Guevara’s trailer and storage locker, along with her dress and undergarments. Robert Guevara's semen was also found near these items just days after her disappearance. Despite direct evidence, Guevara was aquitted in 1993 and denied direct charges for the kidnapping, rape, and murder of Corrine.
After she was listed as missing, Inver Grove citizens, police, and Corrine’s family worked to search the ins and outs of Inver Grove Heights including the landfills. The searches were extensive but still no body was found. The evidence from Guevara's house was the only solid physical proof ever found, leaving Corrine Erstad’s body missing to this day.
Robert Guevara was acquitted of all charges because Minnesota was one of two states in the nation that didn’t fully recognize the statistical significance of DNA evidence. Despite an RFLP analysis in which the blood and semen was found as a direct match to Corrine Erstads and Robert Guevara DNA, the proof was inadequate in convicting Guevara.
As of now, the case is still open due to the fact that Corrine's body hasn't been found. Several blog sites still are looking for Corrine and want Guevara to receive the proper conviction. Guevara is still the main prospect partically due to the fact of being friends with the Erstads and his family’s history; Robert’s brother Jerry has been convicted with sex and abuse on many children and his other brother, Peter, has been charged with withholding thousands of child pornography material.
The technological advancements and laws changing would make this case an easy conviction if it occurred in modern times. Although, due to the double jeopardy court ruling, Robert cannot be put on trial for Corrine's case thus making Geuvara's conviction significantly harder to conduct. Due to the circumstances of the times of Corrine’s disappearance, Corrine Erstad hasn’t received the justice she deserves.
Attached: Simley High School students, Ana Alvear, Rachael Scufsa, Gwynn Gorter, and Avery Renslow, spoke in depth on the details within the case and the trial's final verdict. Listener discretion is advised due to graphic content.
My Movie - Corrine from Avery Renslow on Vimeo.
Credits
Rachael Scufsa, Ana Avlear, Gwynn Gorter, Avery Renslow