School, college and other closings for Monday

MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding. Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all. 

Turn Up Your Support

 (AP) - A man already in prison on South Dakota
has been charged with murder in the death of a Blue Mounds State
Park employee six years ago.

      Prosecutors charged Randy L. Swaney, 35, with four counts of
second-degree murder. The charges were announced Tuesday in
Luverne, in southwestern Minnesota, but were filed there late
Wednesday.

      Swaney was in prison Tuesday in South Dakota on an unrelated
charge. He was set to be released from prison on Wednesday, but
will now be held pending extradition, according to the Minnesota
Department of Public Safety.

      Carrie Nelson, 20, was beaten to death during an apparent
robbery at the southwestern Minnesota state park in May 2001.

      "We've constantly pursued leads in this case," said Rock
County Sheriff Evan Verbrugge. "We've followed up on every lead
that we've gotten in the past six years, no matter how small, so we
could solve this case."

      Investigators have said Nelson probably surprised someone taking
money. The Luverne High School graduate was starting her second
year at the park when she was killed.

      Her death is believed to be the first time a state park employee
had been killed on duty in the history of the park system.

Gallery

A man already in prison on South Dakota
has been charged with murder in the death of a Blue Mounds State Park employee six years ago.


Suspect charged in 2001 state park killing

Go Deeper.

Like this?

News you can use in your inbox