DNA IDs Washington Co. Man Found Dead In Hastings; Help Sought

HASTINGS, MN — The Washington County Sheriff's Office is asking for the public’s help after a Denmark Township man was found dead in Hastings.

Authorities identified the man as 74-year-old William Michael Eickholt through a DNA match made by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, along with supporting evidence, including security camera footage and personal belongings.

Eickholt’s body was discovered on the side of the road in the 1300 block of Ravenna Trail (10th Street). The Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s Office is still determining his cause and manner of death.

Eickholt was reported missing on Feb. 1 after investigators responded to multiple fires at his property in Denmark Township.

Investigators are asking the public to assist the investigation by providing the following information:

• Residents and business owners in the areas surrounding 127th Street and Morgan Avenue between Manning Avenue/Highway 61 and St. Croix Trail South are asked to check their security cameras for anything suspicious between midnight on Saturday, Feb. 1, and 9:50 a.m. on Sunday, Feb. 2
• Anyone with information about Eickholt’s activities leading up to Feb. 1, information about the Feb. 1 fires at his property, or who witnessed a vehicle at or near the property on Jan. 31 or Feb. 1
• Anyone who witnessed a vehicle at or near the 1300 block of Ravenna Trail between midnight on Feb. 1, and 9:50 a.m. on Feb. 2

Investigators ask that you contact the Hastings Police Department at (651) 480-2300 or the Washington County Sheriff’s Office at (651) 439-9381.

"No detail is too small to report," law enforcement said.

The agencies are being assisted with their investigation by the Dakota County Sheriff’s Office, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, the State Fire Marshal, and the Hastings Fire Department.