By Lori Ehde
Blue Mounds State Park is closed this week, preceding what would normally be one of the busiest holiday camping weekends of the year.
The main park office has been a crime lab since Monday as law enforcement investigates the murder of 20-year-old park attendant Carrie Nelson.
Her body was found at 2:45 p.m. Sunday by park management. An autopsy Monday revealed she had died earlier that afternoon from "multi-traumatic injuries to the head due to assault."
Authorities say there was no evidence of sexual assault, but robbery is cited as a possible motive.
During a press conference Tuesday afternoon, Sheriff Ron McClure said investigators are seeking information on two bank money bags believed to have been taken from the park office at the time of the murder.
The gray bags carry the logo of Minnwest Bank. A tip line, 283-1301, has been established for the public to offer information on the missing bags.
McClure said he couldn't comment on the amount of money stolen or whether any items of value were taken from the office.
The Rock County Sheriff's Department, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, the Department of Natural Resources and the Minnesota State Patrol are all working on the case.
These are the only details investigators have released so far.
McClure said all possible witnesses are being interviewed, and he would not comment on whether investigators have narrowed their scope of suspects.
The biggest question still unanswered is whether the murder should be considered a random act of violence or if there was a connection between Nelson and her assailant.
When asked if residents should be concerned about their safety, McClure declined to say if the community was at risk but instead said it's always wise to lock doors and protect property.
Meanwhile, the murder has sent a ripple effect through the Minnesota State Parks system with regard to security.
Bill Morrissey, director of the DNR Division of Parks and Recreation, confirmed that in the 110-year state park history, Nelson is the first employee to be murdered on the job.
"I think it's absolutely fair to say [security] will be reviewed. We're at heightened security right now," Morrissey said Tuesday.
"In light of a changing world, you hope that whether you're a park visitor or a park employee, safety is a concern."
He said no surveillance cameras are used in any of Minnesota's state parks.
Morrissey said the Blue Mounds will be closed until Sunday when it will reopen for day use and camping Sunday night and Memorial Day.
"The contact station is not operable, and a lot of the equipment has been removed (for the investigation)," Morrissey said.
"We aren't going to put that burden on the park staff yet. They need some time to deal with this."
He said staff from other state parks will assist at the Blue Mounds this weekend, but campers may have to self-register.
Normally the Blue Mounds' 73 campsites are all reserved for Memorial Day weekend. "It's our opening weekend and one of the real big weekends for us," he said, adding that he hopes the murder investigation doesn't scare away park visitors.
"We want the public to understand we don't see any reason not to come out and enjoy our parks," he said.
"Thankfully the people of Minnesota take care of their parks and kind of look out for each other. We don't want this to deter people from enjoying their great outdoors."