Father suspects 'foul play' in daughter's recent traffic death

By Doug Stohlberg

Although there is no police investigation at this point, the father of a woman killed in a car accident near Hudson Oct. 19 is convinced there may have been some "foul play" in her death.

Duane Palme, North Branch, Minn., has an advertisement in this week's Star-Observer asking for information anyone may have about the events that led up to the accident that killed his daughter. Monique M. Palme, 23, died that Tuesday morning on I-94 at 4:55 a.m. just east of Hudson.

"We suspect there may have been some foul play, possibly a date-rape drug or something similar," Palme said. "Many of her friends feel the same way."

Among the unanswered questions are, what was the woman doing in Wisconsin after an evening with friends in the Twin Cities area? What was she doing at MR convenience before the accident? Did someone give her a drug that confused her? Is that what caused her to be in Wisconsin and travelling the wrong way on the freeway?

"The police on the scene have already told us that no alcohol was involved," Palme said. "I know my daughter was not involved in any drugs. In fact, she worked at US Bank in St. Paul and was subject to drug tests on that job, and other jobs she has held."

Palme said that at the request of the family, the authorities are conducting blood tests for drugs and alcohol. Those test results won't be available for a few weeks.

Added to the mix is what the father considers to be an uncooperative male acquaintance.

The strange series of events ended with Monique Palme drove westbound in the eastbound lane of I-94 for nearly three miles and collided with a semi tanker near milepost 7. Duane Palme thinks his daughter may have been driving under the influence of a drug induced into her system by someone else.

Palme said the evening started when Monique went dancing with friends at the Hogs Breath Bar on Rice Street in Roseville, Minn. After the bar closed at 1 a.m., Palme, a female friend and a male acquaintance left the bar. Duane Palme described the male as "an old school friend."

The three drove to the male's home in New Brighton, Minn. and were there for a short time before driving to the woman's house. The female friend said she was dropped off at her home in Blaine, Minn. between 2:30 and 2:45 a.m.

The male friend claims he was dropped off at 3:20 a.m. at his New Brighton home, but that's where Duane Palme begins to question Monique's activities.

"The male friend has not given us any information," Palme said. "My daughter had moved to West St. Paul the weekend before she died. I have no idea why she would end up in Wisconsin."

Palme said an employee at MR Convenience identified Monique as someone who was in the store between 3:30 and 4 a.m. The accident, however, didn't happen until 4:55 a.m.

Another thing that puzzles Duane is why his daughter was not wearing seat belt.

"It was an automatic thing for her. At home it is a long distance from the house to the garage and it was so automatic that she'd wear the seat belt when driving from the garage to the house."

Duane is hoping that someone may have seen Monique or have some bit of information that may help explain her actions and whereabouts. Duane can be reached at 651-674-1705 or 651-674-5620.