New Ulm native part of 'Most Wanted' case

By SARA SYVERSON

Journal Staff Writer

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- A native New Ulm woman, Vanessa Landsteiner Ciarnelli, got in on the police investigative action which was featured Saturday night on the television show called America's Most Wanted.

Ciarnelli, a 1993 graduate of New Ulm Senior High School, is the daughter of Paul and Jeanette Landsteiner, of rural New Ulm. She is one of the "good guys," a crime scene investigator for the Sacramento Police Department.

Ciarnelli was involved in the investigation of the murder of a California car dealer, which was featured on the show.

"I was surprised when I heard about it, but I know she does get involved in some pretty interesting topics," said Jeanette, "It's actual footage from the crime scene which she worked on. I think it's kind of ironic because it was her first two weeks being on the Sacramento Police Department. I knew exactly what she was talking about."

Ciarnelli, who lives in the suburb of Elk Grove with her husband Lenny Ciarnelli, currently works as an evidence technician with the Sacramento Police Department.

"She really enjoys her work," said Jeanette, "It's a wide range of duties. She does lab work to collecting evidence and testifying evidence in court. She's always been good at solving puzzles. She's always wanted to know the whys and how-comes and she's always enjoyed the science field. This job fits her to a T."

After Vanessa graduated from high school she attended the University of Minnesota and Mankato State University studying chemistry and physics.

"She went to a college in California," said Jeanette, "On campus she got involved in college security. Her career took off in that direction. She took the FBI classes, fingerprinting, and crime photography."

Jeanette said her daughter always enjoyed being physical and during high school she would be remembered for her accomplishments in figure skating and track.