In the serene stillness of a New Mexico community rooted in religious tradition, no one could have imagined the horror to come. The Mennonite murder Mark Gooch case was more than a crime—it was a collision of faith and fury, of peace and violence. Sasha Krause, a 27-year-old devoted to her Mennonite lifestyle, was abducted, transported across state lines, and executed with chilling calculation. Her killer, Mark Gooch, shared the same religious background—but rejected it, and in his resentment, targeted her as a symbol of everything he grew to loathe.
Who Was Sasha Krause? A Life of Devotion and Simplicity
Sasha Krause lived a quiet, purposeful life. Born into the Mennonite faith, she grew up with a deep sense of spiritual and communal belonging. Known for her kindness and commitment, she worked with religious publishing and volunteered at her church school in Farmington, New Mexico. Those who knew her recall a gentle soul with unwavering faith and a love for language and education.
Her life reflected the Mennonite ideals—modesty, pacifism, and community. She did not own a car, lived with fellow church members, and kept communication limited. Ironically, her possession of a cellphone—rare among traditional Mennonites—would become the very tool that exposed her killer.
Who Is Mark Gooch? A Mennonite Turned Rebel
Mark Gooch, by contrast, shared Sasha’s Mennonite roots but bore none of her convictions. Raised in a conservative Mennonite household in Wisconsin, Gooch felt suffocated by the faith. After leaving school in eighth grade, he earned a GED and sought freedom through military service—a bold rebellion against his upbringing.
By enlisting in the U.S. Air Force, Gooch turned away from the doctrine of peace that shaped his youth. His disdain deepened, festering into something darker. He began to stalk Mennonite communities, surveilling them and mocking their way of life through texts to his brothers. His anger wasn’t just about belief—it was personal, and it was growing.
Why Did Mark Gooch Target a Mennonite?
Experts believe Gooch’s actions were rooted in resentment. According to court psychologists, he saw Sasha Krause not as a person, but a symbol. She represented everything he left behind—faith, obedience, and simplicity.
Text messages to his brother revealed a disturbing glee in mocking Mennonites. He wrote of their “boring” lives and shared fantasies of taunting or harming them. His brother, Jacob, even joked about infecting a Mennonite with COVID-19—a joke Mark found “hilarious.” This wasn’t just anger—it was contempt, bordering on hatred.
The Disappearance of Sasha Krause: How It All Began
On January 18, 2020, Sasha Krause vanished after walking to the church to collect teaching materials. She never returned. A search ensued, but it yielded no clues. The community feared the worst but held onto faith.
Meanwhile, Mark Gooch had already driven her body 270 miles west. On February 21, a camper near Sunset Crater National Monument discovered Sasha’s remains—duct-taped, battered, and executed.
Uncovering the Truth: How Digital Clues Led to Gooch
Sasha’s cellphone became a silent witness. Investigators found that her device and Gooch’s had pinged the same towers at the same time. A digital thread emerged, linking Gooch to the site of the abduction and the place her body was found.
Further evidence showed Gooch had returned to the forested crime scene days after the murder, as if reliving the event. It was an act that suggested both guilt and detachment.
Cell Phone Records and a Digital Trail of Guilt
Forensic experts traced Gooch’s phone to a path that mirrored Sasha’s disappearance. Even his GPS data indicated proximity to the church and crime scene. His alibi unraveled with each byte of data.
His claim—that he went to visit a church for fellowship—collapsed when records showed he never attended a service, nor contacted anyone in the Mennonite community.
The Rifle That Told the Truth
One of the most damning pieces of evidence was a .22-caliber rifle Gooch gave to a friend to hide. The bullet retrieved from Sasha’s skull matched it exactly. Ballistics experts testified at trial, leaving no room for reasonable doubt.
Further damning was his brother Samuel’s attempt to destroy evidence and retrieve the rifle—an effort thwarted by authorities, but one that revealed a chilling level of premeditation.
Bound, Beaten, and Executed: The Autopsy Findings
The autopsy confirmed the horror: Sasha had been bound, suffered blunt force trauma, and was shot in the head. Her murder was neither accidental nor impulsive. It was methodical, symbolic, and cruel.
The Trial: From Circumstantial to Convincing
In court, prosecutors dismantled Gooch’s defense. While the murder lacked eyewitnesses, the trail of digital evidence, ballistics, and Gooch’s own contradictions proved overwhelming.
The jury found him guilty of first-degree murder and kidnapping. The sentence: life without parole.
The Mennonite Murder Mark Gooch Case
This case will remain etched in the memory of both the Mennonite community and American true crime history. A man born into faith, consumed by resentment, committed an act of shocking brutality.
And yet, in the aftermath, the Mennonite community responded not with hatred—but with prayer, compassion, and forgiveness. Even for a man who betrayed every value they hold dear.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to Sasha Krause?
She was abducted from her Mennonite community in Farmington, New Mexico, and later found murdered in Arizona.
Who was Mark Gooch?
A former Mennonite turned U.S. Airman who resented his religious upbringing and targeted Sasha because of her faith.
How was Gooch caught?
Through cell phone tracking, GPS data, and a ballistics match linking his rifle to the bullet in Krause’s skull.
Was this crime premeditated?
Yes, Gooch surveilled the Mennonite community beforehand and took steps to hide the evidence.
Did Gooch confess?
No, he maintained innocence despite overwhelming evidence and was convicted at trial.
How did the Mennonite community respond?
They grieved deeply but ultimately extended forgiveness, reflecting their values of peace and grace.