Man Suspected of Killing Girlfriend in Lake Crystal Dies in Hospital

(Learfield News/Lake Crystal, MN) — The Blue Earth County Sheriff’s Office says the man suspected in the killing of a Lake Crystal woman has died.

Deputies say 64-year-old Gary Rodewald of New Ulm had been hospitalized with a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Rodewald is accused of fatally shooting Kristi Joy Gardner of Lake Crystal last Thursday night.

Gardner was found dead in Rodewald’s garage.

Investigators say the two were in a relationship.