Man Charged, Victim Mourned In Iron Range Murder

Criminal Complaint: Victim Was Decapitated

Itasca County authorities have charged 35-year-old Joseph Christen Thoresen,
of Grand Rapids with the murder of a Hibbing man.

The charge stems from allegations that Thoresen assaulted 20-year-old David Haiman with a baseball bat, a knife and a machete and caused his death on or about June 21.

At the hearing, upon the recommendation of the prosecutor, the court set bail in the amount of $2,000,000 without conditions or $1,000,000 with conditions.

The maximum sentence for the crime is 40 years in prison.

Nicole Koplin, Haiman’s ex-girlfriend, spoke to FOX 21 Wednesday.

“David was such a caring guy. He would do anything to put a smile on someone’s face. No matter how grey your days were, he would make it the brightest. Even just a smile would cheer you up,” Koplin said.

Thoresen’s next court appearance is scheduled for July 5.