Jessie Blodgett, a 19-year-old actress and musician, was tragically murdered in Hartford, Wisconsin, on July 15, 2013. Raised in a loving home, she was known for her vibrant personality, love for music, and deep commitment to social justice.
Her murder by close friend and ex-boyfriend Daniel Bartelt shocked the entire community. Jessie’s legacy now lives on through her father’s violence prevention campaign, the LOVE>hate Project.
Table of Contents
Jessie Blodgett Wiki/Bio
| Full Name | Jessie Marietta Blodgett |
| Date of Birth | March 22, 1994 |
| Date of Death | July 15, 2013 |
| Age at Death | 19 years |
| Profession | Actress, Musician, Music Teacher |
| Hometown | Marietta, GA; raised in Hartford, WI |
| Nationality | American |
Early Life
Jessie Blodgett was born on March 22, 1994, in Marietta, Georgia. She moved to Hartford, Wisconsin, with her parents, Buck and Joy Blodgett, during childhood. An only child, Jessie was raised in a nurturing environment that celebrated music, open dialogue, and activism.
She began playing piano early, later mastering violin and voice. Her early interests extended to theater and social justice, becoming a vegetarian at 13 after exploring animal rights advocacy.
Education
| School | Hartford Union High School (Class of 2012) |
| University | University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (2012–2013) |
| Qualification | Talent Scholarship recipient |
Jessie graduated from Hartford Union High School in 2012, where she was active in the music and theater departments. She earned a full-tuition Talent Scholarship to study Music Education at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. While studying, she mentored disadvantaged peers and aspired to become a choir director.
Family
| Parents | Buck Blodgett (father), Joy Blodgett (mother) |
| Siblings | None |
| Relationship Status | Single at time of death; previously dated Daniel Bartelt |
Jessie was very close to her parents, Buck and Joy, who were both chiropractors. Her brief relationship with Daniel Bartelt in high school transitioned into a creative friendship, but he would later become her murderer. In the wake of Jessie’s death, her father founded the LOVE>hate Project to fight male violence and promote love-driven change.
Career
Jessie Blodgett was an emerging artist deeply involved in her local creative community. In 2013, she launched her own music teaching business, with 26 students learning piano, violin, and voice. She also starred in a local production of Fiddler on the Roof just days before her death. Her dream was to become a choir director and use music to influence young lives for the better.
Career Milestones
| Acting Highlight | Starred as the fiddler in Fiddler on the Roof (July 2013) |
| Music Achievement | Ran private teaching business with 26 students |
| Scholarship | Awarded Talent Scholarship, UW-Milwaukee (2012) |
Controversies
He Comforted Her Family After Her Murder — But a Slip of the Tongue Gave Him Away https://t.co/7tRr9iQj3q
— People (@people) July 27, 2025
- Murder Case (2013): Jessie was raped and strangled by Daniel Bartelt in her home. He attended her vigil pretending to mourn her death before being arrested for the crime. (Source)
- Initial Investigation: Authorities initially suspected two older men who had flirted with Jessie at a cast party, based on her diary entries. They were later cleared.
- Evidence Trail: Bartelt was caught after DNA evidence linked him to an earlier assault on another woman. During questioning, he mentioned Jessie had been raped—before that fact was public—leading to his arrest and conviction.
