By Lori Ehde
Local law enforcement and state investigators continue to field hundreds of calls from the public regarding the murder of Luverne's Carrie Nelson.
As of press time Wednesday, however, there were still no suspects named in the case.
In fact, the only new information released at a press conference Tuesday was that a $10,000 reward is offered for information that may lead to an arrest and subsequent conviction.
Nelson, 20, was found beaten to death at the Blue Mounds State Park entrance building in the afternoon of Sunday, May 20.
The 1999 Luverne High School graduate was a park employee and had been working the 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. shift at the park when she was killed.
Rock County Prosecuting Attorney Terry Vajgrt addressed area media on the steps of the Rock County Law Enforcement Center during Tuesday's press conference.
He declined to answer questions about whether investigators are narrowing in suspects or if Nelson may have known her assailant.
"A lot of times, the dissemination of information can hamper an investigation," he told the media.
Appearing before the media with Vajgrt were Carrie's father, Stan Nelson, Hills, her mother Nan (Karr) Kaufenberg, her stepfather Mike Kaufenberg, Madison, S.D., and her fiancŽ Mike Kellen, Sioux Falls.
"We loved Carrie very much and we miss her," Nan Kaufenberg said, clutching Carrie's photograph to her chest.
"If anyone knows anything about her murder, please come forward. We want to see the person who caused this brought to justice."
Stan Nelson said bringing Carrie's murderer to justice won't bring her back, but he said the guilty person needs to be stopped.
"My beautiful little girl will never again run into my arms saying 'I love you, Daddy,'" Nelson said. "Whoever did this must be caught so they can never do it again."
The Rock County Sheriff's Department, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and the Minnesota State Patrol are working on the case.
Investigators are still seeking information on two gray Minnwest Bank money bags that were taken from the park office the day Nelson was murdered.
They're also seeking information on a full-size, large white car that was seen speeding away from the park between 2:15 and 2:30 p.m. that day.
A tip line of 283-1301 has been established to field calls from the public.
In addition, investigators particularly urge anyone who was at the park that weekend to call the tip line if they have not yet spoken with an investigator.
The Blue Mounds State Park "Park Partners" booster club is in the process of establishing a Carrie Nelson Memorial Fund. Contact the Luverne Area Chamber of Commerce, 283-4061, for information on how to give.
Park is now open
Blue Mounds State Park manager Rick White said the murder has been difficult for him and his staff.
"We've gotten a lot of support from across the division (DNR parks). We've gotten lots of cards and e-mails," White said Wednesday.
The park was officially closed through the holiday weekend, but gates were open to local visitors and those who happened to stop in.
"We were open on a real limited basis because we were still looking for information," White said. "But people were self-registering, and the climbers have been real supportive. The hikers have been out, and a few crappies have been caught in the lower lake."
The "closed" signs have been removed from I-90 and Highway 75. Blue Mounds will be open and fully staffed for Buffalo Days this weekend and Sunday's annual buffalo burger feed and State Parks open house.
White added the wildflowers are in bloom, and 19 baby bison have recently joined the herd.
Arrested park employee
In an arrest authorities say is not related to Nelson's murder, Blue Mounds State Park employee Marcus Lamarre Wilson faces felony charges of fifth-degree controlled substance and unlawful possession of a firearm.
Wilson's wife, Theresa Wilson, Brandon, said she has videotape of Marcus at their daughter's birthday party Sunday afternoon.
Authorities searched Wilson's rented residence on 612 West Warren Street Wednesday night, May 23.
They reportedly found a plastic bag containing 2.2 grams of cocaine and a .25 caliber handgun, which Wilson is not allowed to own due to a prior felony conviction of check forgery in 1999.
Also found in Wilson's home were various drug paraphernalia and $900 in cash.
Wilson, 25, will appear in Rock County Court Monday, June 4. The maximum penalty for the charges is six years in prison and a $13,000 fine, if found guilty.