MPR News Chief Meteorologist Paul Huttner signs off

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

Updated: 3:20 p.m. Friday | Posted 4:02 p.m. Thursday

Authorities in central Minnesota's Todd County say the two people found dead in a home earlier in the week are 63-year-old Barry Bennett and 63-year-old Carol Bennett, and their son is being sought in their deaths.

Barry Bennett is a former NFL player, who had a brief stint with the Minnesota Vikings.

Todd County authorities issued an arrest complaint Friday for the couple’s son, Dylan John Bennett, 22, charging him with two counts of second-degree murder. They are currently trying to locate him.

On Wednesday, the Todd County Sheriff's Office had received a 911 call about a man found dead at a rural Long Prairie home.

The caller had gone to check on a friend, who hadn't returned texts or phone calls since Tuesday. When deputies arrived, they found two adults dead.  The arrest complaint says both appeared to have been shot multiple times.  Investigators found an empty semi-automatic pistol magazine and 9 mm shell casings.  The complaint also says that autopsy reports indicate the elder Bennetts were shot sometime during the day on Aug. 19. 

Investigators say Carol Bennett’s credit and debit cards were used in Wisconsin, Illinois and Ohio, and the Dylan withdrew “a large sum of cash” from his parents’ Long Prairie bank account.  He also apparently flew from Columbus, Ohio, to Atlanta, Georgia, then on to Cancun, Mexico. Authorities believe he was in Mexico on Aug. 22. 

While in Ohio, Dylan Bennett gave a “person a 9 mm handgun to hold for him,” court documents say. 

Last December, Barry Bennett told the Todd County Sheriff’s Office that “his son, Dylan Bennett, while in a mental health treatment facility, had expressed homicidal thoughts about killing his parents,” according to the complaint.

Correction (Aug. 23, 2019): A previous version of this story misstated Carol Bennett’s age. The story has been updated. 

Crime, Law and Justice

Kirsti Marohn

Author

Authorities said Friday a former NFL player and his wife, Carol Bennett, were shot to death in their Long Prairie home.  Police are seeking their 22-year-old son in connection with the deaths.

Cincinnati Bengals placekicker Jim Breech and New York Jets' Barry Bennett

Todd County authorities seek son in deaths of Barry Bennett, wife

Go Deeper.

Like this?

News you can use in your inbox