On December 15, 2022, Matthew Ecker was on his way to work when he received a distressed phone call from his friend and ex-colleague, Alex Pennig. According to Ecker, Pennig informed him that she had an altercation with her boyfriend, Shane Anderson, and was fearful of his potential actions. Concerned for her safety, Ecker grabbed his legally owned firearm and drove to Pennig’s apartment in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Ecker showed up at approximately 2 p.m. He would later claim that his sole motivation for visiting Pennig was to ensure her safety.
The following morning, Pennig was found murdered in her apartment. Investigators analyzed surveillance videos to reconstruct the events leading up to her death.
The dispute
On the night of December 16, 2022, at around 12:30 a.m., Pennig and Ecker visited several bars before arriving at Camp Bar. There, they encountered Anderson, who was already present. Surveillance footage reveals that Anderson approached Pennig to engage in conversation. Ecker then joined them, but tensions escalated. When Ecker positioned himself between Pennig and Anderson, he was struck by Anderson. Following the altercation, Anderson was removed from the establishment while Pennig and Ecker remained for approximately another hour to continue their drinks and conversation.
Matthew Ecker and Alex Pennig return home for the evening.
At 2:05 a.m., Pennig and Ecker reach her apartment complex after making the journey on foot from Camp Bar.
A trip back to the entrance hall
At 2:24 a.m., Pennig and Ecker are spotted exiting the building and re-entering the lobby. Ecker would later mention that he was heading to his car to retrieve his headphones. Pennig (shown in the photo) was the first to return, standing in the vestibule while waiting for Ecker. She anxiously walked back and forth, glancing at her phone.
Alex Pennig was last observed while alive.
Ecker arrives two minutes after Pennig, at 2:30 a.m. They proceed to walk through the lobby together and head back to Pennig’s apartment. This marks the final sighting of Pennig while he was still alive.
Officers from the St. Paul police department have reached the location.
At 2:50 a.m., Ecker dialed 911 to inform them that Pennig had shot herself in the head. St. Paul police quickly responded and arrived at the apartment building, where Ecker granted them entry at 2:56 a.m.
The tale of Matthew Ecker
After guiding the police to Pennig’s residence, Ecker waited in the corridor, visibly upset and emotional. Officer Justina Hser approached him to inquire about the situation. Their nearly hour-long exchange was recorded on her body camera. Ecker claimed that his relationship with Pennig was fine and that they had not quarreled. He recounted how she took his gun from his backpack, retreated into the bathroom, and locked herself inside. Shortly after, he reported hearing a gunshot, prompting him to force open the bathroom door where he discovered Pennig lying on the floor with a gunshot wound to her left temple.
The weapon
The officers who arrived at the scene found the firearm resting on Pennig’s chest, her left hand lying over it. They found this situation peculiar. One of the officers subsequently relocated the gun to the sink (as shown in the image) to ensure it was secured properly.
Significant proof
Ecker informed the officers that he had cleaned his hands after attempting to assist Pennig, explaining the cleanliness of his hands. However, upon their arrival, the officers observed that the bathroom sink was dry. Detectives speculated that if Ecker had indeed just washed his hands, the sink would likely still show signs of being wet.
Insufficient proof regarding Matthew Ecker
Detectives conducted an interview with Ecker at approximately 6:30 a.m. on December 16, 2022. There were no signs of blood on his person or clothing. Further investigation revealed that he also did not have any gunshot residue present.
The crucial proof
During Ecker’s interrogation at the police station, the forensic team examining the crime scene informed detectives about a newly uncovered piece of evidence that emerged after Pennig’s body was moved. This evidence was a metal fragment from the bathroom door lock, found on the floor near where Pennig’s head had been located. The detectives theorized that this small metal fragment fell to the floor when Ecker forcibly opened the door. They believe that after Ecker broke down the bathroom door, Pennig was shot and subsequently collapsed onto this piece of metal. This finding suggests that the door had indeed been forced open prior to Pennig being shot, indicating that Ecker had not told them the truth.
The person facing charges: Matthew Ecker
On December 19, 2022, Matthew Ecker faces formal charges of second-degree murder. He asserts that he did not take the life of Alex Pennig.
The court proceedings involving Matthew Ecker
Ecker’s trial is set to commence on February 8, 2024. Just over a week later, on February 16, he is convicted of second-degree murder.
Sentencing of Matthew Ecker
Ecker received a 30-year prison sentence on April 3, 2024, and he is currently contesting his conviction.