Life Without Parole: 5 Key Facts About Daniel Bartelt's Current Status Today
The question of "Where is Daniel Bartelt today?" leads directly to the Wisconsin Department of Corrections, where the convicted killer of 19-year-old Jessie Blodgett is serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole. As of December 19, 2025, Daniel J.H. Bartelt remains incarcerated, his legal battles against his conviction having been definitively concluded by the state's appellate courts in recent years.
The 2013 murder of Jessie Blodgett—a talented musician and aspiring actress from Hartford, Wisconsin—shook the community and brought national attention to the case, often featured on true crime programs like Dateline and A Killer Among Friends. Bartelt, a close friend and former love interest of the victim, was found guilty of the heinous crime. This article provides the most current and verified information regarding his incarceration, his legal status, and the details of the case that sealed his fate.
Daniel J.H. Bartelt: Biographical Profile and Crime Summary
Daniel J.H. Bartelt is a name inextricably linked to one of Wisconsin's most tragic and high-profile murder cases of the last decade. His profile, once that of a seemingly normal young man from Richfield, was permanently changed by the events of July 2013.
- Full Name: Daniel J.H. Bartelt
- Hometown: Richfield, Wisconsin
- Age at Time of Crime: 19 years old (in July 2013)
- Victim: Jessie Blodgett, 19, a college student, musician, and aspiring actress.
- Date of Crime: July 15, 2013
- Location of Crime: Jessie Blodgett’s home in Hartford, Wisconsin.
- Primary Charge: First-Degree Intentional Homicide
- Verdict: Guilty (Convicted in 2014)
- Sentence: Life Imprisonment without the Possibility of Parole
The crime stunned the community due to the relationship between the perpetrator and the victim. Jessie Blodgett was found unresponsive in her bed on July 15, 2013. The subsequent investigation revealed that Bartelt, a friend of the victim, was responsible for her strangulation death. The Washington County Circuit Court handled the trial, where evidence of Bartelt's predatory behavior and a previous, unrelated attempt to sexually assault another woman were presented, painting a chilling picture of a calculated killer.
1. Bartelt’s Current Incarceration Status and Facility
The most direct answer to "Where is Daniel Bartelt today?" is that he is a permanent fixture within the Wisconsin prison system. He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of extended supervision, meaning his sentence is mandatory life imprisonment with no chance of parole or early release.
As of the most recent public records, Daniel J.H. Bartelt is housed at the Waupun Correctional Facility. This maximum-security prison, located in Waupun, Wisconsin, is one of the oldest and most prominent correctional facilities in the state. His inmate identification number is #621440.
His permanent status at a maximum-security facility reflects the severity of his conviction for First-Degree Intentional Homicide. The judge at his 2014 sentencing made it clear that the goal was to ensure the victim's family, the Blodgett family, would have "peace of mind" knowing he would never be released.
2. The Definitive Outcome of His Post-Conviction Appeals
Despite the finality of a life-without-parole sentence, Bartelt has pursued multiple avenues of appeal since his 2014 conviction. The pursuit of post-conviction relief is a common legal process, but in Bartelt's case, all attempts to overturn his conviction or sentence have been denied by the higher courts of Wisconsin.
The most recent and significant legal update confirming his status comes from the Wisconsin Court of Appeals. Bartelt filed a motion for postconviction relief under Wisconsin Statute § 974.06, which allows a person to challenge a sentence or conviction after the time for a direct appeal has passed.
A court order dated as recently as April 18, 2023, confirms that the Wisconsin Court of Appeals denied this motion. This ruling reinforces the original verdict and sentence, providing the definitive, most current legal status for Bartelt: his conviction for the murder of Jessie Blodgett stands, and he will not be released. This denial effectively closes off the most common state-level legal challenges, solidifying his status as a lifer.
3. The Shocking Details of the Crime and Trial
The trial focused heavily on the brutal nature of the crime and the calculated deception Bartelt employed. Jessie Blodgett was a vibrant 19-year-old with a promising future in the arts, a fact that made her murder by a trusted friend all the more shocking.
The investigation revealed that Bartelt had been at the Blodgett home the night before the murder. Key evidence presented during the trial included a pair of gloves found in a plastic bag with Bartelt’s DNA on them, which were believed to have been used in the strangulation. The prosecution also introduced testimony regarding a prior incident where Bartelt had attempted to sexually assault another woman, a critical piece of evidence that established a pattern of predatory behavior and intent.
Bartelt was ultimately found guilty of First-Degree Intentional Homicide, the most serious charge. The jury's verdict was swift, and the judge's subsequent sentence of life without parole reflected the community's demand for justice for Jessie Blodgett. The case highlighted the tragic reality that danger can come from the most unexpected sources—those considered friends.
4. Jessie Blodgett’s Lasting Legacy and Advocacy
While Daniel Bartelt remains in prison, the legacy of his victim, Jessie Blodgett, continues to inspire meaningful change. Jessie's parents, particularly her father, Dan Blodgett, transformed their grief into powerful advocacy.
Following the tragedy, Dan Blodgett became a nationally recognized speaker and activist, dedicating his life to teaching others about safety, awareness, and the importance of trusting one's instincts. His work focuses on preventing similar crimes by raising awareness about the signs of predatory behavior, a mission he detailed in the book Jessie’s Legacy: How One Girl’s Tragedy Sparked a Movement.
The Blodgett family's efforts have created a lasting impact, ensuring that Jessie's life is remembered not just for the way it ended, but for the awareness and safety education it inspired across the country. This enduring advocacy is a crucial part of the case’s continuing narrative, contrasting sharply with the silence and confinement of her killer.
5. Why Daniel Bartelt Will Never Be Released
The sentence of "Life Imprisonment without the Possibility of Extended Supervision" in Wisconsin is the state's most severe penalty short of the death penalty, which Wisconsin does not have. This sentence means that Bartelt has no mandatory release date, no parole eligibility, and no possibility of a conditional release based on good behavior or time served.
The judge’s decision to impose the maximum penalty was a deliberate act to ensure public safety and to provide the Blodgett family with permanent closure. Given the nature of the crime—a planned attack involving strangulation and the presentation of evidence of prior assaults—the court determined that Bartelt represented a permanent danger to society.
Any future legal filings from Bartelt would face the insurmountable obstacle of his prior, denied appeals and the definitive nature of the life-without-parole sentence. Therefore, Daniel J.H. Bartelt's status today, and for the rest of his life, is that of an inmate at Waupun Correctional Facility, a chapter permanently closed by the justice system.
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