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1 Arrested In Oakdale Homicide, Victim ID'd

OAKDALE, Minn. (WCCO) -- Police have arrested a 44-year-old St. Paul man in connection to the death of a 39-year-old woman, who was found dead in her Oakdale apartment.

Lori Christine Baker, 39, was stabbed several times at her apartment on the 6200 block of 12th Street in Oakdale, according to police.

Her body was found just before 10 a.m. Wednesday. Baker was a nanny and her employer called police after she didn't show up for work. When they arrived, they found her lying on the bedroom floor of her apartment covered in blood.

According to Oakdale Police, the St. Paul man was arrested in Minneapolis around 2:30 p.m. Thursday. He remains in custody at the Hennepin County Jail.

"We want to make sure people know our hearts go out to the family. And the investigation will continue," said Officer Michelle Stark.

On Wednesday, police could be seen searching through an apartment dumpster looking for evidence. As of now, they aren't saying if they found the murder weapon.

"It's scary, it's sad. I want to make sure I know what happened and I want to know that my family and I are safe," said neighbor Kristina Martin.

For Martin, who lives just two doors down from Lori Baker, the past couple days have left her in shock. She's hoping that whoever did this is brought to justice.

"I hope there is closure to it and the family is okay. And I hope it doesn't happen again," said Martin.

The family Lori Baker was a nanny for said she worked for them for nine years. They say she was creative, outgoing, and dedicated to the kids she took care of.

The suspect's name has not been released because the investigation is ongoing, but charges are pending. Police say he knew Baker, but won't say how.

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