Bloom murder case has local connection

After 13 years, police have their principle suspect in the murder of Sharon Bloom.

Stephan Zanter, one of Bloom’s co-workers at 3M in Woodbury, pleaded guilty last week to killing the 37-year-old on Nov. 2, 1989. Zanter told police he hit Bloom repeatedly with a hammer in his Eagan home.

Sentencing for Zanter, who faces more than 25 years in prison for the second-degree murder, is scheduled for June 26. The 47-year-old man admitted to the killing April 9 in Rice County District Court in Faribault. He stated the murder followed an argument about Zanter harassing Bloom at work.

Bloom, a systems analyst at 3M, was reported missing on Nov. 2, 1989. Her body was found in a Rice County cornfield 10 days later.

Police had suspected Zanter, but prosecuting attempts stalled until new DNA tests became available in 1999. Traces of Bloom’s blood were found in the carpet of Zanter’s home, according to the tests.

Earlier tests taken from bloodstains in Zanter’s carpet showed only that it originated from a “higher primate.” Some of Bloom’s keys were also found in Zanter’s home, but the Minnesota Supreme Court ruled the keys inadmissible.

The new DNA tests conducted in 1999 stated the blood was Bloom’s, and authorities charged Zanter.

Zanter said he had Bloom’s body in his basement, and then put her in the trunk of his car. He drove south and dumped the body in the cornfield, located between Northfield and Faribault.

“He realized that we had a strong case against him, and it was to his advantage to plea,” said Paul Beaumaster, Rice County prosecutor. “It was not out of the goodness of his heart.”

Beaumaster added the plea helps bring closure to a tragic case. “She meant a lot to the people in her life,” he said. “People from her family and her work were here to hear the plea. After 14 years, I think that speaks volumes to the type of person she (Bloom) was.”

Woodbury officers were involved in the original investigation nearly 14 years ago. Woodbury was the primary investigating agency until Bloom’s body was found.

Investigator David Hines said the conclusion shouldn’t have taken so long.

“I’m glad it’s finally coming to an end,” he said.