Bio

Michael Zabawa was born in 1982. He grew up in Matawan, Minnesota, which is about 15 miles south of Waseca. As a child, he was known to be quiet and kept to himself. He had a regular upbringing, although not much detailed information is publicly available about his early family life or education.

As he grew older, Zabawa worked as a farm laborer. He was employed at a local hog farm in Waseca County. His employers described him as responsible and hardworking. They noted that he was a skilled technician who took care of newborn piglets and was mechanically inclined. His coworkers found him easy to get along with and generally had no concerns about his behavior.

In his life before becoming involved in serious crime, Zabawa faced a few legal issues. He had a minor criminal history that included a gross misdemeanor theft conviction and multiple driving while intoxicated (DWI) charges. These incidents gave him some legal troubles, but he continued to live in his hometown and work at the farm.

Zabawa's life took a tragic turn in early February 2007 when he was involved in a violent incident that profoundly affected the Kruger family. At the time, he was 24 years old. That winter, he became a suspect in a double murder case, leading to drastic changes in his life and the lives of others around him.

Murder Story

On February 2, 2007, Michael Zabawa entered the home of Tracy and Hilary Kruger in Waseca County, Minnesota. Earlier that day, he had gotten his truck stuck in a snow-filled ditch outside their house. Seeking help, he broke into the Kruger home.

Once inside, he was confronted by Tracy Kruger, who was armed with a shotgun. During a struggle for the weapon, Tracy was shot. Michael then shot Hilary Kruger, who was injured while she lay in bed. After shooting Tracy and Hilary, he encountered their 13-year-old son, Alec, who had called 911. Another gunshot occurred, resulting in Alec being shot as well.

Following the incident, Michael stole the Kruger's SUV in an attempt to escape. Authorities quickly traced the stolen vehicle back to him after receiving a 911 call from Alec, who reported the shooting. The 911 call ended abruptly when another gunshot was heard.

Michael was arrested later that day at his home. He was charged with multiple counts, including two counts of murder. The details of the case led to a trial in which he was found guilty and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole in March 2009.