Wunderlich Killed His Mom, Hid In Neighbor's Camper: Prosecutors

STILLWATER, MN — A Hugo man arrested after a multi-day manhunt has been formally charged with killing his mother, Washington County Attorney Kevin Magnuson announced.

Trevor Joseph Wunderlich, 45, was charged Thursday with one count of second-degree murder (with intent, not premeditated).

If convicted, Wunderlich faces up to 40 years in prison.

"Today we charged the defendant in the brutal murder of his mother, Charlene Wunderlich," Magnuson said. "My office will do everything in our power to hold him accountable for her tragic death."

Wunderlich appeared in Washington County District Court on Thursday morning. He remains in custody with a $3 million unconditional bail, and his next court appearance is scheduled for Oct. 24.

A $2 million conditional bail would require Wunderlich to abstain from any use of alcohol or controlled substances, submit to random drug testing, attend weekly check-ins with Washington County Community Corrections, and undergo a mental health evaluation within 30 days.

According to the criminal complaint, deputies from the Washington County Sheriff's Office responded to an open 911 line that came from a residence in Hugo early Monday evening.

Telecommunicators could hear sounds of an ongoing assault or struggle.

Deputies entered the home and found 68-year-old Charlene Wunderlich lying on the floor in "obvious distress," police said. Her son, Trevor Wunderlich, was seated in a chair next to her, according to the criminal complaint.

Deputies tried to detain Wunderlich but he ran into the basement of the home and fled out the back door, according to prosecutors.

Meanwhile, Charlene was suffering from contusions, lacerations, and other injuries throughout her body. She was briefly conscious and able to tell law enforcement that her son had assaulted her, according to the criminal complaint.

Charlene was transported to the hospital, where she was later pronounced dead. Her death was determined to be a result of multiple blunt force injuries, including rib fractures, a sternal fracture, chest wall hemorrhage and pulmonary contusions.

A "significant manhunt" for Wunderlich began. He was found late Tuesday morning after law enforcement received a call from a neighbor who had found Wunderlich in a camper on her property, police said.

Wunderlich again tried to flee, but law enforcement was able to take him into custody, according to the criminal complaint.