A Minot woman was found murdered early Monday evening and Minot police are asking anyone with information to step forward and help solve the case.

The victim, Anita Knutson, 18, was found dead in her bedroom at 2420-4th St. NW, Apt. 5. Knutson's body was found by her father and the landlady of the apartment. The incident was reported to the Minot Police Department at 5:12 p.m. According to Lt. Dan Strandberg of the Minot P.D., police believe the murder took place sometime Sunday. Knutson was originally from the Butte area, graduated from Velva High School in 2006, and was currently a student at Minot State University.

"It appears at this time that her death was caused by an unknown intruder who broke into her residence," Strandberg said.

Strandberg said the cause of death is pending autopsy results, and the method of the intruder's entry into the apartment is still under investigation. Strandberg wouldn't comment on whether a murder weapon was found at the scene, but said it was fairly obvious that a homicide had taken place.

The relationship the intruder had with Knutson has not been determined. When asked about this topic, Strandberg said that not knowing what relationship the intruder had with Knutson, if any, was unsettling.

"In my experience, the victim and the suspects have always had a close relationship. However, in this case we're not able to ascertain any of that," he said. "And it is a little unsettling, yes."

A neighborhood canvas by police hasn't yielded any additional information, but Strandberg said not all of the neighbors or relatives of Knutson have been contacted yet. Knutson had lost contact with her family sometime over the weekend, and that was why her father had gone to her apartment on Monday to check up on her, according to Strandberg.

Anyone who had contact with Knutson over the weekend, or who has information regarding this incident is requested to call Minot police at 852-0111.