Erie, PA – A 37-year-old woman has been sentenced to 40 to 80 years in prison for the 2023 murder of 66-year-old Michael Maisner, where she shot him, dismembered his body with a chainsaw, and burned his remains in a backyard firepit.
Marisa Jean Rodriguez, of Erie, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced to up to 80 years in prison after pleading guilty but mentally ill to charges related to the brutal killing of Michael Maisner. Rodriguez admitted to shooting Maisner, dismembering him with a chainsaw, and burning his body in a firepit using his own money. The case has shocked the local community and prompted severe emotional responses from all involved.
The Crime: A Gruesome Murder Unfolds
The horrific crime came to light in April 2023, when Maisner’s family, unable to contact him for several days, visited his home. Upon arrival, they found no sign of Maisner but discovered Rodriguez hiding in the attic, where she had reportedly been living for months. Authorities later uncovered chilling evidence at the home, including human tissue, bloodstains, and disturbing writings on the walls.
Investigators soon discovered charred human remains and bone fragments in a firepit behind the house, which were later confirmed through DNA to be Maisner’s. In addition, Rodriguez was linked to the crime through disturbing online searches, including phrases like “how to shoot someone,” “how to burn a dead body,” and “cutting a dead body with a chainsaw.”
A Motive and Method: Dissecting Rodriguez’s Actions
Rodriguez’s motive appeared to stem from her tumultuous relationship with Maisner, who had allowed her to stay in his home to help with household tasks. However, the shocking turn of events saw Rodriguez not only kill Maisner but also use his financial resources to purchase the chainsaw and other items needed to dispose of his body. Surveillance footage showed her purchasing a chainsaw with Maisner’s debit card, spending nearly $600 at a Walmart on April 3, 2023…