Revisiting Kate (Catherine Johnson)
Kate Johnson, the daughter of Russell Johnson and Edie Rollison, was born in Hillsboro (a
suburb of Portland, Oregon) and grew up in Vancouver. She graduated at the top of her class at
Evergreen High School. Her first college choice was Pacific Lutheran University, but for
financial reasons transferred to the University of Portland, 17 miles from home. There, she was a
music education major, who student-taught in preparation for someday securing work as a high
school band teacher. Kate volunteered for Habitat for Humanity.
Hillsboro suburb in Portland, Oregon. Kate Johnson wore comfortable clothes, drove a Honda, loved Mexican food and her black
Labrador, Moose. “Kate loved music and playing the clarinet.” Kim Vu told a reporter for the UP newspaper, The Beacon. “I would always hear her playing her music… Her room was always
filled with music. I knew she would be the perfect music teacher.”
The University of Portland is ranked #2 out of 120 regional universities. Kate (Catherine Johnson) was described by university staff and students as a lovely, self-effacing young woman who epitomized the University's ideals of faith and service. She spent countless hours on volunteer activities, including working with low-income children, mentoring young girls and teaching music.
On May 29, 2001 Kate Johnson was murdered in her dorm room. The rape was violent, and she had significant bruises on her breasts and body that occurred before she died. Kate’s mother, Edie Rollison, recounted in court she learned of her daughter's death watching the TV news. They reported a university homicide. Although they did not mention the victim's name, she had a sinking feeling right away. "I knew immediately it was Kate," she said, "and at that moment my life as I knew it came to an end.
The CSI team scoured the dorm room and found saliva from the killer on her pillowcase.
Mehling Hall On April 30, 2002 (1 year later), the Williamette Weekly, a Portland newspaper published an article written by Nigel Jaquiss:
“Police and university officials have released few details, other than that Johnson died of ‘homicidal violence’ and that there was no sign of a break-in at Mehling Hall, the dorm where she lived…” “Two months before Johnson's murder, Mehling Hall was burglarized, according to police reports. Sometime between March 10 and March 20 (2001), during UP's (University of Portland) spring break, someone gained entry to three students' rooms, stealing items including jewelry, textbooks and clothing. The burglaries bore two significant parallels to Johnson's murder. The first is that, like the murder, they took place at a time when school was not in session, which suggests the perpetrator was familiar with UP's calendar. Second and more significantly, in both instances there was no sign of a break-in. In fact, the police reports about the March burglaries state, ‘No sign of forced entry. Its possible that burglarys [sic] were done by someone with a University Master key for Mehling Hall.’ When contacted by WW, Russell Johnson, Catherine's father, was stunned at the news that there had been a prior break-in at the dorm where his daughter was murdered. "I didn't get that information," he says. "[University of Portland] didn't tell me any of that." “John Rhodes, the Portland Police Bureau detective heading the investigation, concedes that there are currently no suspects in the case, nor has anyone come forward with significant clues. "It's a real whodunit," Rhodes says.”
The sad piece is the haunting that hangs on to a community after a violent crime. The University of Portland had received acknowledgements in the U.S. News & World Report for being an excellent academic school. However, for years since 2001 they were known for Kate Johnson’s unsolved murder.
Suspects identified and ruled out:
1. Kate had journaled about a foreign student she liked. He was out of the country at the time of Kate’s death
2. Since Kate had been handcuffed, the security staff were DNA tested. No match. 
3. The Medical Examiner on the scene was odd and made claims, “she was handcuffed” and “she was choked,” when it wasn’t obvious to others at the scene. The statements turned out to be true. The examiner returned to the scene after his forensic work was done and climbed up the drainpipe to Kate’s second floor room to prove the killer could have come up this way. Investigators thought he seemed to know too much, so they DNA tested him. He was no match.
4. A College women’s track team was using Portland University’s track on the day Kate was murdered. Their coach was male. Investigators asked for DNA. He refused to provide a sample. They heard the coach regularly went to a bar in Portland, called, The Olive or Twist. They staked it out, hoping to take one of his drink glasses to test his DNA. However, he stopped going to the bar after Kate’s murder. He was not the killer.
5. A Holy Cross priest named David Adaikalam was living in the dorm when Kate died. Initially investigators were told David had already left the country at the time of the murder. However, they learned this wasn’t true. This led to allegations of a cover-up. After interviewing him, police announced David wasn’t a suspect. 
Finally, a hit:
Kate’s supervisor, as a dormitory residence assistant, held a poker game in a home across the street from Kate’s dormitory on the night of her murder. All of the players offered their DNA willingly.
It turns out the DNA belonged to Deniz Aydiner, age 35,-- one of the poker players. A search of his home discovered the items that had been stolen from Mehling dormitory two months prior to Kate’s murder. Aydiner was the one who had entered the dorm with a key and stolen items from rooms. This perhaps draws attention to the need for addressing nonviolent crimes, before they progress. The problem investigators now had was, Aydiner had returned to his homeland of Turkey. They hadn’t expected him to leave without his family. The investigators made a decision which would lead to harsh skepticism from the community and would be hurtful to Kate’s family. It would lead to the University of Portland being accused of protecting the Priest, when in truth the Priest had nothing to do with the murder. The investigators announced they were closing the investigation without resolution. What the public didn’t know was they were daring Turkish immigrant, Deniz Aydiner, to return to the U.S.
--Regarding the accusations leveled against the Priest: It’s interesting that accusers never seem to come back and apologize when they’re wrong. So instead, it’s only the accusation that remains in the public’s mind. I know people will say there have been cover-ups by the church in the past. My point is that every injustice should be addressed, not rationalized. Rationalizing injustice is what killers do.
On January 16, 2004, Deniz Aydiner took the bait and returned to the U.S. He was arrested when he stepped on U.S. soil. Aydiner’s attorney argued that the DNA swab shouldn’t have been admissible, since the police officers never warned him that giving it could affect his immigration status. Aydiner’s DNA was linked to the 2001 sexual assault and killing of Catherine “Kate” Mary Helene Johnson. Aydiner claimed the Portland police violated an extradition treaty by using "trickery and deceit" to get him to return to Portland where he was charged in the death of a University of Portland student. I find it absurd that a man who raped and murdered a wonderful person, would be concerned his rights were violated because he was lied to.
In February 2006, Deniz C. Aydiner, 35, a Turkish citizen, pled guilty and was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 37 years. Kate’s family was glad to be spared a public trial. It was noted that if Aydiner is ever released he will be deported to Turkey. Aydiner would later appeal the ruling, but the appeal was rejected by the Oregon Court of Appeals.
It would ultimately be revealed that Deniz Aydiner had been verbally abusive to his wife in a bar when Kate was out on her 21st birthday. Kate seldom went out, but was encouraged by friends to go out for her 21st. Kate confronted Aydiner on his behavior. Deniz argued that the behavior was normal for Turkey. She pointed out that they were in Oregon. From that night forward Deniz planned his revenge. Deniz managed to secure a campus pass card from a friend who worked in campus security, entered the dorm that night, brutally assaulted her and murdered her. (Today they would know exactly whose security card was used. They didn’t have this technology at the University of Portland at the time.) Kate’s willingness to get involved makes me proud of her.
We do this work for people like Kate. So, others don’t have to experience her fate. Kate Johnson was the best of us, and the kind of person we hope our children aspire to be.
Holy Cross Father William Beauchamp, University of Portland president said, “Kate will always be remembered and honored on the Bluff for her selfless generosity. She embodied the best of the University of Portland, and we continue to celebrate her life through an annual award for the most outstanding student in volunteer services.” I am interested in thoughts people have to share about this case. Please feel free to share them.
Thanks for listening,
Frank
Events in the upcoming month:
Saturday, July 20, 2024, Frank Weber will be selling his books at the Creators Market in Hastings for Rivertown Days. Frank will be set up outside of Quaint & Quirky Minnesota Gifts on 216 Second Street East in Hastings, Minnesota. The event last from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, July 21 , 2024, Forensic Psychologist & True Crime Author, Frank F. Weber, will be at Alloy Brewing Company in Coon Rapids speaking from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. Frank will demonstrate a live lie detector test (volunteer a friend). Enjoy a cold brew and ask forensic questions. Frank will be at Alloy from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 answering questions on his work, signing and selling his books, and discussing the latest forensic tools. Alloy Brewing Company is located at: 2700 Coon Rapids Blvd NW, Coon Rapids, MN 55433.
Friday, July 26, 2024, Forensic Psychologist &True Crime Author, Frank Weber, will be at Rapids Brewing Company in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. He’ll speak from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. about Forensic psychology and the writing of True Crime mysteries. Frank will demonstrate a live lie detector test (volunteer a friend). Enjoy a cold brew and ask forensic questions. Rapids Brewing Company is located at: 214 North Pokegama Avenue, Grand Rapids, Minnesota, 55744.
Sunday, July 28, 2024 from 9:00 to 3:00 p.m. Frank will be at Art in the Park in Detroit Lakes selling and signing all of his books including his newest, Scandal of Vandals. The event is sponsored by the Detroit Lakes Chamber of Commerce and is located at 1320 Lincoln Avenue, Detroit Lakes, Minnesota.
Saturday, August 3, 2024, Forensic Psychologist &True Crime Author, Frank Weber, will be at Wabasha Brewing in St.Paul, Minnesota, from 12:30 to 5:30 p.m. He’ll speak from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. about Forensic psychology and the writing of True Crime mysteries. Enjoy a cold brew and ask forensic questions. Wabasha Brewing is located at: 429 Wabasha Street South, St Paul, Minnesota, 55107.
Monday, August 5, 2024, Beaver Island Brewing Company is hosting the St.Cloud opening of Scandal of Vandals from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m.. Frank will speak from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p,m. on his newest book, Scandal of Vandals. Frank will share some of the intriguing information he uncovered related to the case and give a live demonstration of a lie detector test (volunteer a friend). There is a scene at Beaver Island in the book. It’s a chance to experience the story, on location, while enjoying a cold beverage. The Beaver Island Brewing Company is located at 216 6th Avenue South, St. Cloud, Minnesota on Division.
Friday, August 9 , 2024, Forensic Psychologist & True Crime Author, Frank F. Weber, will be at Roundhouse Brewing Company in Nisswa speaking from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. Frank will discuss some of the bizarre facts related to his newest true crime novel, Scandal of Vandals, Frank will demonstrate a live lie detector test (volunteer a friend). Enjoy a cold brew and ask forensic questions. Frank will be at Roundhouse Brewery from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. answering questions on his work, signing and selling his books. Frank will be with the audience by the stage, selling books and enjoying the music after speaking. Roundhouse Brewing Company is located at 23836 Smiley Road, Nisswa, Minnesota, 56468.
Saturday, August 10, 2024 from 9:00 to 4:00 p.m. Frank will be at Art of the Lakes in Battle Lake selling and signing all of his books including his newest, Scandal of Vandals. The event is located at Railroad Park in Battle Lake, Minnesota.
Tuesday, August 13, 2024, Frank Weber will be speaking to the Words and Wine Book Club at Porky’s Bar in Hillman (not to be confused with Wine and Words in Brainerd) from 12:00 noon to 12:45 p.m. Frank will be discussing Black and Blue and will be addressing questions on forensics and all of his true crime mysteries. Brothers Porky’s Pine Bar and Grill is located at 36972 Minnesota Highway 27 #3, Hillman, Minnesota, 56338
suburb of Portland, Oregon) and grew up in Vancouver. She graduated at the top of her class at
Evergreen High School. Her first college choice was Pacific Lutheran University, but for
financial reasons transferred to the University of Portland, 17 miles from home. There, she was a
music education major, who student-taught in preparation for someday securing work as a high
school band teacher. Kate volunteered for Habitat for Humanity.
Hillsboro suburb in Portland, Oregon. Kate Johnson wore comfortable clothes, drove a Honda, loved Mexican food and her blackLabrador, Moose. “Kate loved music and playing the clarinet.” Kim Vu told a reporter for the UP newspaper, The Beacon. “I would always hear her playing her music… Her room was always
filled with music. I knew she would be the perfect music teacher.”
The University of Portland is ranked #2 out of 120 regional universities. Kate (Catherine Johnson) was described by university staff and students as a lovely, self-effacing young woman who epitomized the University's ideals of faith and service. She spent countless hours on volunteer activities, including working with low-income children, mentoring young girls and teaching music.On May 29, 2001 Kate Johnson was murdered in her dorm room. The rape was violent, and she had significant bruises on her breasts and body that occurred before she died. Kate’s mother, Edie Rollison, recounted in court she learned of her daughter's death watching the TV news. They reported a university homicide. Although they did not mention the victim's name, she had a sinking feeling right away. "I knew immediately it was Kate," she said, "and at that moment my life as I knew it came to an end.
The CSI team scoured the dorm room and found saliva from the killer on her pillowcase.
Mehling Hall On April 30, 2002 (1 year later), the Williamette Weekly, a Portland newspaper published an article written by Nigel Jaquiss:“Police and university officials have released few details, other than that Johnson died of ‘homicidal violence’ and that there was no sign of a break-in at Mehling Hall, the dorm where she lived…” “Two months before Johnson's murder, Mehling Hall was burglarized, according to police reports. Sometime between March 10 and March 20 (2001), during UP's (University of Portland) spring break, someone gained entry to three students' rooms, stealing items including jewelry, textbooks and clothing. The burglaries bore two significant parallels to Johnson's murder. The first is that, like the murder, they took place at a time when school was not in session, which suggests the perpetrator was familiar with UP's calendar. Second and more significantly, in both instances there was no sign of a break-in. In fact, the police reports about the March burglaries state, ‘No sign of forced entry. Its possible that burglarys [sic] were done by someone with a University Master key for Mehling Hall.’ When contacted by WW, Russell Johnson, Catherine's father, was stunned at the news that there had been a prior break-in at the dorm where his daughter was murdered. "I didn't get that information," he says. "[University of Portland] didn't tell me any of that." “John Rhodes, the Portland Police Bureau detective heading the investigation, concedes that there are currently no suspects in the case, nor has anyone come forward with significant clues. "It's a real whodunit," Rhodes says.”
The sad piece is the haunting that hangs on to a community after a violent crime. The University of Portland had received acknowledgements in the U.S. News & World Report for being an excellent academic school. However, for years since 2001 they were known for Kate Johnson’s unsolved murder.
Suspects identified and ruled out:
1. Kate had journaled about a foreign student she liked. He was out of the country at the time of Kate’s death
2. Since Kate had been handcuffed, the security staff were DNA tested. No match. 3. The Medical Examiner on the scene was odd and made claims, “she was handcuffed” and “she was choked,” when it wasn’t obvious to others at the scene. The statements turned out to be true. The examiner returned to the scene after his forensic work was done and climbed up the drainpipe to Kate’s second floor room to prove the killer could have come up this way. Investigators thought he seemed to know too much, so they DNA tested him. He was no match. 4. A College women’s track team was using Portland University’s track on the day Kate was murdered. Their coach was male. Investigators asked for DNA. He refused to provide a sample. They heard the coach regularly went to a bar in Portland, called, The Olive or Twist. They staked it out, hoping to take one of his drink glasses to test his DNA. However, he stopped going to the bar after Kate’s murder. He was not the killer. 5. A Holy Cross priest named David Adaikalam was living in the dorm when Kate died. Initially investigators were told David had already left the country at the time of the murder. However, they learned this wasn’t true. This led to allegations of a cover-up. After interviewing him, police announced David wasn’t a suspect. Finally, a hit:Kate’s supervisor, as a dormitory residence assistant, held a poker game in a home across the street from Kate’s dormitory on the night of her murder. All of the players offered their DNA willingly.
It turns out the DNA belonged to Deniz Aydiner, age 35,-- one of the poker players. A search of his home discovered the items that had been stolen from Mehling dormitory two months prior to Kate’s murder. Aydiner was the one who had entered the dorm with a key and stolen items from rooms. This perhaps draws attention to the need for addressing nonviolent crimes, before they progress. The problem investigators now had was, Aydiner had returned to his homeland of Turkey. They hadn’t expected him to leave without his family. The investigators made a decision which would lead to harsh skepticism from the community and would be hurtful to Kate’s family. It would lead to the University of Portland being accused of protecting the Priest, when in truth the Priest had nothing to do with the murder. The investigators announced they were closing the investigation without resolution. What the public didn’t know was they were daring Turkish immigrant, Deniz Aydiner, to return to the U.S.
--Regarding the accusations leveled against the Priest: It’s interesting that accusers never seem to come back and apologize when they’re wrong. So instead, it’s only the accusation that remains in the public’s mind. I know people will say there have been cover-ups by the church in the past. My point is that every injustice should be addressed, not rationalized. Rationalizing injustice is what killers do.
On January 16, 2004, Deniz Aydiner took the bait and returned to the U.S. He was arrested when he stepped on U.S. soil. Aydiner’s attorney argued that the DNA swab shouldn’t have been admissible, since the police officers never warned him that giving it could affect his immigration status. Aydiner’s DNA was linked to the 2001 sexual assault and killing of Catherine “Kate” Mary Helene Johnson. Aydiner claimed the Portland police violated an extradition treaty by using "trickery and deceit" to get him to return to Portland where he was charged in the death of a University of Portland student. I find it absurd that a man who raped and murdered a wonderful person, would be concerned his rights were violated because he was lied to. In February 2006, Deniz C. Aydiner, 35, a Turkish citizen, pled guilty and was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 37 years. Kate’s family was glad to be spared a public trial. It was noted that if Aydiner is ever released he will be deported to Turkey. Aydiner would later appeal the ruling, but the appeal was rejected by the Oregon Court of Appeals.
It would ultimately be revealed that Deniz Aydiner had been verbally abusive to his wife in a bar when Kate was out on her 21st birthday. Kate seldom went out, but was encouraged by friends to go out for her 21st. Kate confronted Aydiner on his behavior. Deniz argued that the behavior was normal for Turkey. She pointed out that they were in Oregon. From that night forward Deniz planned his revenge. Deniz managed to secure a campus pass card from a friend who worked in campus security, entered the dorm that night, brutally assaulted her and murdered her. (Today they would know exactly whose security card was used. They didn’t have this technology at the University of Portland at the time.) Kate’s willingness to get involved makes me proud of her.
We do this work for people like Kate. So, others don’t have to experience her fate. Kate Johnson was the best of us, and the kind of person we hope our children aspire to be. Holy Cross Father William Beauchamp, University of Portland president said, “Kate will always be remembered and honored on the Bluff for her selfless generosity. She embodied the best of the University of Portland, and we continue to celebrate her life through an annual award for the most outstanding student in volunteer services.” I am interested in thoughts people have to share about this case. Please feel free to share them.Thanks for listening,
Frank
Events in the upcoming month:Saturday, July 20, 2024, Frank Weber will be selling his books at the Creators Market in Hastings for Rivertown Days. Frank will be set up outside of Quaint & Quirky Minnesota Gifts on 216 Second Street East in Hastings, Minnesota. The event last from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, July 21 , 2024, Forensic Psychologist & True Crime Author, Frank F. Weber, will be at Alloy Brewing Company in Coon Rapids speaking from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. Frank will demonstrate a live lie detector test (volunteer a friend). Enjoy a cold brew and ask forensic questions. Frank will be at Alloy from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 answering questions on his work, signing and selling his books, and discussing the latest forensic tools. Alloy Brewing Company is located at: 2700 Coon Rapids Blvd NW, Coon Rapids, MN 55433.
Friday, July 26, 2024, Forensic Psychologist &True Crime Author, Frank Weber, will be at Rapids Brewing Company in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. He’ll speak from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. about Forensic psychology and the writing of True Crime mysteries. Frank will demonstrate a live lie detector test (volunteer a friend). Enjoy a cold brew and ask forensic questions. Rapids Brewing Company is located at: 214 North Pokegama Avenue, Grand Rapids, Minnesota, 55744.
Sunday, July 28, 2024 from 9:00 to 3:00 p.m. Frank will be at Art in the Park in Detroit Lakes selling and signing all of his books including his newest, Scandal of Vandals. The event is sponsored by the Detroit Lakes Chamber of Commerce and is located at 1320 Lincoln Avenue, Detroit Lakes, Minnesota.
Saturday, August 3, 2024, Forensic Psychologist &True Crime Author, Frank Weber, will be at Wabasha Brewing in St.Paul, Minnesota, from 12:30 to 5:30 p.m. He’ll speak from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. about Forensic psychology and the writing of True Crime mysteries. Enjoy a cold brew and ask forensic questions. Wabasha Brewing is located at: 429 Wabasha Street South, St Paul, Minnesota, 55107.
Monday, August 5, 2024, Beaver Island Brewing Company is hosting the St.Cloud opening of Scandal of Vandals from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m.. Frank will speak from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p,m. on his newest book, Scandal of Vandals. Frank will share some of the intriguing information he uncovered related to the case and give a live demonstration of a lie detector test (volunteer a friend). There is a scene at Beaver Island in the book. It’s a chance to experience the story, on location, while enjoying a cold beverage. The Beaver Island Brewing Company is located at 216 6th Avenue South, St. Cloud, Minnesota on Division.
Friday, August 9 , 2024, Forensic Psychologist & True Crime Author, Frank F. Weber, will be at Roundhouse Brewing Company in Nisswa speaking from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. Frank will discuss some of the bizarre facts related to his newest true crime novel, Scandal of Vandals, Frank will demonstrate a live lie detector test (volunteer a friend). Enjoy a cold brew and ask forensic questions. Frank will be at Roundhouse Brewery from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. answering questions on his work, signing and selling his books. Frank will be with the audience by the stage, selling books and enjoying the music after speaking. Roundhouse Brewing Company is located at 23836 Smiley Road, Nisswa, Minnesota, 56468.
Saturday, August 10, 2024 from 9:00 to 4:00 p.m. Frank will be at Art of the Lakes in Battle Lake selling and signing all of his books including his newest, Scandal of Vandals. The event is located at Railroad Park in Battle Lake, Minnesota.
Tuesday, August 13, 2024, Frank Weber will be speaking to the Words and Wine Book Club at Porky’s Bar in Hillman (not to be confused with Wine and Words in Brainerd) from 12:00 noon to 12:45 p.m. Frank will be discussing Black and Blue and will be addressing questions on forensics and all of his true crime mysteries. Brothers Porky’s Pine Bar and Grill is located at 36972 Minnesota Highway 27 #3, Hillman, Minnesota, 56338
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