Melissa Hortman's Killer, Vance Boelter, Had A Bizarre Résumé: Security Boss, Funeral Worker And Preacher

Minnesota was shaken by a brutal attack on 14 June 2025, when Vance Luther Boelter, a 57-year-old with a strange and troubled past, allegedly assassinated state Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband, and injured Senator John Hoffman and his wife.

Boelter's capture on 15 June near his Green Isle farm ended Minnesota's largest-ever manhunt, spanning 43 hours.

His life has been a mosaic of odd roles: self-styled security expert, funeral home worker, and evangelical preacher with ties to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), stitched together by financial ruin and mental health struggles.

Trace Boelter's Erratic Career

Boelter's professional path was far from ordinary. He claimed to be a security professional, boasting experience in conflict zones like Gaza and the DRC, per Reuters.

As the self-proclaimed director of Praetorian Guard Security Services, he flaunted a fleet of police-style vehicles. Still, his childhood friend David Carlson called these claims a 'fantasy' in an NPR interview, noting the company barely existed.

Boelter's work was less glamorous: years in the food service industry, followed by recent gigs transporting bodies for funeral homes.

A desperate LinkedIn post from May 2025 begged for a return to food service: 'I'm pretty open to positions,' he wrote, revealing a life unravelling.

Uncover Financial and Mental Turmoil

Boelter's career swings mirrored personal chaos. Carlson told Fortune that Boelter's DRC trips for evangelical work drained his finances, leaving him scrambling after quitting stable jobs.

He paid four months' rent, £176 ($238), in advance before the attacks, perhaps anticipating his fate. A chilling text to Carlson on 14 June 2025, stating he 'may be dead shortly', hinted at deep mental health issues.

Boelter's emotional DRC sermons, posted online, showed a man torn between spiritual zeal and personal despair, a dangerous combination foreshadowing his actions.

Decode Political and Religious Drivers

Labelled a 'politically motivated assassination' by Governor Tim Walz, the attack targeted prominent Democrats Hortman and Hoffman.

Boelter's vehicle contained a manifesto listing dozens of Democratic lawmakers and abortion rights advocates, per BBC. His conservative views, particularly his anti-abortion stance, were confirmed by Carlson, though he insisted Boelter wasn't wholly defined by hate.

His preaching against American moral stances, like those on sexual orientation, added ideological fuel.

Appointed to Minnesota's Workforce Development Board in 2016 and 2019, Boelter had crossed paths with Hoffman, though their connection remains unclear.

X posts post-attack speculated on his religious motives, but these remain unverified.

Justice Confronts a Troubled Soul

Boelter's résumé, security fantasies, funeral work, and fiery preaching offer no clear answers but paint a man undone by financial ruin, mental distress, and ideological fervour.

His actions serve as a stark warning: ignoring such signs risks further devastation.

Minnesota grieves, grappling with the scars of extremism. This tragedy highlights the urgent need to address mental health and radicalisation, as unchecked ideologies, psychological distress, and social isolation can fuel violent outbursts.

Society must act swiftly, fostering community support, accessible mental health resources, and proactive intervention to prevent future tragedies.