Grand Jury Indicts Suspect for Woman’s Fatal Stabbing in Burnsville Home

Oct 3

A Dakota County grand jury has indicted a Burnsville man on multiple murder charges in the stabbing death of the mother of his children earlier this year.

Prosecutors announced this week that 48-year-old Jason Philip Filas was indicted on one count of first-degree premeditated murder, one count of first-degree murder while committing domestic abuse with a past pattern of domestic abuse.

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He was also indicted on one count of second-degree intentional murder in connection with the May 7 killing of 32-year-old Danielle Grace Warren at her home on the 2000 block of East 117th Street in Burnsville.

If convicted of either first-degree charge, Filas faces a mandatory sentence of life in prison.

Burnsville police were dispatched to Warren’s residence around 9:35 a.m. on May 7 on a report of a domestic disturbance. Officers saw blood on the front door handle and, after looking through a window, noticed an unresponsive person and a large amount of blood inside. When officers forced entry, they found Warren sitting upright against a couch with multiple stab wounds to her face, neck and chest. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

A bloody 12-inch kitchen knife was recovered in the hallway between the kitchen and living room. Warren’s two young children were also in the home but were not injured.

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Investigators say that earlier that morning, Warren called her sister, saying Filas was “freaking out” after he saw a man on their home security camera. She told her sister she was scared and wanted her keys to get away. Warren later called back, pretending to speak with police while Filas was in the home. During that call, Warren began screaming, “He has a knife, call 911, call 911,” before the call disconnected.

When her sister tried calling back, Filas answered and said, “She should have never cheated on me, you better call 911,” before hanging up, the documents said.

Officers issued an alert for Filas, who had fled before police arrived. A Lakeville officer later spotted his vehicle speeding and pulled him over. Filas ignored commands to exit, then advanced toward the officer before fleeing on foot. He was arrested after officers deployed a Taser.

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The Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s Office found at least nine stab wounds to Warren’s head, neck and upper torso. Officials ruled her death consistent with homicidal violence.

Court records show Filas had a recent history of domestic violence involving Warren. He was charged with domestic assault in March and pleaded guilty in April to violating a domestic abuse no contact order tied to that case.

Filas remains in custody at the Dakota County Jail. Prosecutors said his next hearing date will be set in the coming days.

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