NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
May 5, 2026
MEDIA CONTACT: Wade Backstrom
218-726-2323 or backstromw@stlouiscountymn.gov
Travis James Paul Lukkar Convicted
Court file # 69HI-CR-23-475
Yesterday, after six days of trial, a Hibbing jury found Travis James Paul Lukkar, 31, guilty of one count of Murder in the 3rd Degree and one count of Controlled Substance Sale in the 4th Degree, announced County Attorney Kim Maki. The charges arose from the death of Ginae Jo Songer, 36, of Hibbing, on February 9, 2023. Ms. Songer died from the effects of fentanyl that was sold to her by Mr. Lukkar on February 7, 2023.
The St. Louis County Attorney’s Office thanks Ms. Songer’s family for their strength and support for each other during the pendency of this case, as well as the Hibbing Police Department, the Lake Superior Violent Offender Task Force, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Investigation, and the Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office for their investigation and assistance in prosecuting this case.
The Honorable Rachel C. Sullivan ordered that Mr. Lukkar be held without bail pending sentencing, which is set for June 12, 2026, at 9:00 AM.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant County Attorney Aaron P. Welch.
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