A sudden announcement from Dakota County Attorney James Backstrom that he is resigning.
Backstrom said he is dealing with chronic lung infections that have worsened and made him extremely vulnerable to COVID-19. He will step down at the end of February.
Backstrom has been county attorney since 1987 and he's the held the office longer than anyone in history.
While he said he and his office have had many accomplishments over his 33-year career, there is one name that he will not forget. Corinne Erstad.
"Certainly a case that will haunt me for the rest of my life," Backstrom told WCCO's Adam Carter.
Erstad was 5-years old when she disappeared from a park near her Inver Grove Heights home in June of 1992.
"It was a terrible tragedy that shocked not only Dakota County, but our entire state."
Corinne has never been found, but is presumed dead. A man was arrested shortly after the kidnapping and Backstrom charged him with kidnapping and murder. But the man was acquitted by a jury.
Just this week, it was announced that Backstrom will review the shooting and killing of Dolal Idd by Minneapolis Police last week. He says his office will still be reviewing the case, one they receive it from the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.
Backstrom's current term expires in 2023. The county board will be responsible for picking a person to fill the term.
The prosecutor said he's looking back with pride on his tenure.
"You make a positive difference every day as a county attorney," Backstrom said. "I've been blessed to have this opportunity for 33 years."
