Tragic Loss of Melissa Hunt Leaves Wabasha County in Mourning

WABASHA COUNTY, MN — A profound sense of grief has settled over Wabasha County following the tragic and untimely death of Melissa Hunt, a 36-year-old woman whose life was taken far too soon in a devastating act of violence on Wednesday, June 18, 2025.

Authorities responded to an emergency call in the West Newton area around 4:45 p.m., where Melissa was found severely injured and in urgent need of medical care. She was transported to St. Elizabeth’s Health Care, but despite the best efforts of medical personnel, she succumbed to her injuries.

Melissa’s death has sent shockwaves through the community—leaving behind a family in anguish, friends in disbelief, and neighbors grappling with the sudden loss of someone so cherished.

She is remembered as a kind and gentle soul with a heart full of compassion. Melissa carried herself with quiet strength and grace, often putting others before herself. Her smile was warm, her presence calming, and her love for those closest to her unwavering.

In the wake of this tragedy, 44-year-old Craig Alan Hameister, a man with whom Melissa had a prior relationship, was arrested in the Chester Woods area by the Olmsted County Sheriff’s Office. He is currently in custody at the Wabasha County Jail as the investigation into Melissa’s death continues.

The horrific nature of Melissa’s passing has left many searching for answers, and more importantly, seeking healing in the face of an unthinkable act. Her life, full of potential and promise, was taken in an instant—leaving behind a void that cannot be filled.

This tragedy is a painful reminder of the silent battles some carry and the importance of protecting and uplifting one another. As her loved ones gather to remember Melissa, they do so with heavy hearts but also with deep love, refusing to let her memory fade into sorrow alone.

Plans for a memorial service will be announced by her family in the coming days, as they ask for privacy and prayers during this difficult time.

Melissa Hunt’s life mattered. Her story deserves to be told—not just in how she died, but in how she lived. May she rest in peace, and may justice and healing follow in the wake of this heartbreaking loss.