AUTHORITIES INVESTIGATING RURAL LAKE CRYSTAL DEATH AS HOMICIDE

The Blue Earth County Sheriff’s Office and state authorities are now investigating the death in rural Lake Crystal Thursday as a homicide.  Authorities say the victim has been identified as 57-year-old Kristi Joy Gardner of rural Lake Crystal and she died of multiple gunshot wounds.  Investigators say she had been involved in a relationship with 64-year-old Gary Rodewald of New Ulm.  Authorities started a search for him and found him in a vehicle in the garage of his home.  The Brown, Lyon, Redwood and Renville County Emergency Response Unit was called to assist in the investigation.  Authorities say Rodewald had a self-inflicted gunshot wound.  He was transported to a regional hospital in Minneapolis where he remains unresponsive in the intensive care unit.  The incident remains under investigation by the Blue Earth County Sheriff’s Office and the Minnesota BCA.