Brian Nelson 60, was found stabbed to death in his Hibbing home on 10 July 2017. His home was located behind the Bottle Shop liquor store, which he owned and operated. Nelson was known to take the days’ proceeds home on Saturday and make deposits on Monday mornings. On Saturday 8 July Nelson closed the store and took the day’s cash proceeds home. He was last seen alive at 10:30 p.m.
When Nelson failed to show up for work on Monday, a store employee went to check on him. They found Nelson’s house locked and secure, but gained access to the home, discovered Nelson deceased and called 911. That Saturday was the final day of the 2017 Hibbing Jubilee Community Festival.
Investigators consider robbery a potential motive but the investigation has identified no forensic evidence or witnesses to aid the investigation.
Spotlight on Crime is offering up to $25,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible for Nelson’s death.
Anyone with information related to this case is urged to contact Hibbing Police Department at 218-263-3601
Obituary:
Hibbing Daily Tribune
Brian Joseph Nelson, 60, of Hibbing and formerly of Mission Viejo, Calif., died Monday, July 10, 2017.
He was born Oct. 30, 1956, in Hibbing, the son of Leo and Helga (Peterson) Nelson. He graduated from Hibbing High School and went on to attend the Minnesota School of Business.
Brian worked for LM&P Parts Store in California and was the owner/operator of The Bottle Shop in Hibbing. He was a member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Hibbing. Brian enjoyed fishing, watching auto racing and playing baseball.
He is survived by his parents, Leo (Helga) Nelson of Hibbing; sisters, Carol I. Nelson of Hibbing and Karen M. Kreibich of Lino Lakes, Minn.; nieces, Jennifer Poppler and Heidi Vanderbeek; great-nephews, Jacob and Jeffrey Vanderbeek; great-niece, Claire Poppler; numerous extended family members; and his faithful companion, Dodo.
He was preceded in death by his paternal and maternal grandparents, and his brother: Bob.
Funeral: Service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, July 18, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Hibbing. The Rev. Kevin Olson will officiate.
Visitation: Will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, July 17, at the Anderson-Daniels Funeral Home in Hibbing and will continue for one hour prior to the service Tuesday at the church.
Burial: Interment will be in the Hibbing Park “Maple Hill” Cemetery.
Family services are provided by Anderson-Daniels, a Bauman family funeral home, in Hibbing. To express condolences online, please see www.baumanfuneralhome.com.
HPD seeking public’s assistance in murder investigation
Hibbing Daily Tribune
Just a couple hours after family and friends said their formal goodbyes at Brian Nelson’s funeral today, Hibbing Police Department (HPD) investigators put out a call for the public’s help.
Nelson, 60, owner and operator of The Bottle Shop, was found murdered in his Hibbing residence near the liquor store at 2410 First Ave. around 4:45 p.m. Monday, July 10.
The Ramsey County Medical Examiner’s Office ruled his death as a homicide by “sharp force injuries,” according to HPD Investigator Jeff Adamich.
“We continue to investigate the homicide of Brian Nelson, following up on and continuing to get leads,” said Adamich. “We are now looking for the public’s help to assist. Specifically, we’d like to hear from anyone who may have had any contact with Nelson or had seen him between the evening of Saturday, July 8, and Monday, July 10.”
No one is in custody at this time.
“We’ve conducted interviews with persons of interest, and continue to develop leads and gather information so at some point we have enough information to charge,” Adamich added.
Investigators continue to believe this to be an isolated incident.
“We do not believe this was a random act of violence,” said Adamich.
A longtime Hibbing resident, Nelson was described by family and friends as a kind, caring person. He was a member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Hibbing, and enjoyed fishing, watching auto racing and playing baseball. In addition to the family, he’s missed by his faithful canine companion, Dodo.
Flowers have been left at the storefront to honor Nelson. The store has been closed since Monday, July 10. The sign reads “closed until further notice due to unforeseen circumstances.”
Nelson will be buried in Hibbing Park “Maple Hill” Cemetery.
Agencies that have been involved with the investigation include the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA), St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office and the Lake Superior Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force (LSDVCTF).
The investigation remains ongoing.
If you have any information that might assist the investigation, call HPD at 218-263-3601
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