Man, 24, Arrested & Charged In Oak Park Heights Homicide

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Murder charges have been filed against a Stillwater man in the death of a vulnerable adult, who was found dead in his Oak Park Heights condominium, according to the Washington County Attorney's Office.

On Thursday, 24-year-old Nathan Nigel Anthony Eldredge was specifically charged with second-degree intentional murder in connection to the April 11 incident. Eldredge was arrested in Matteson, Illinois, after a warrant for his arrest was entered into the national database.

Officers found the body of 39-year-old Nils Christian Johnson in his town house early on Tuesday, April 11.

Police had been called to the townhouse a few days prior for a welfare check after relatives were unable to reach Johnson. Police say they found no signs of foul play inside the unit, but did not perform a thorough search. When they returned on April 11, however, Johnson was discovered lying dead on the floor. The medical examiner determined Johnson died from blunt force trauma with a secondary cause of asphyxiation.

Related: Missing Vulnerable Adult Case Becomes A Homicide Investigation

According to the criminal complaint, neighbors reported that Eldredge was seen hanging around Johnson's apartment and was known to take advantage of the victim. They also reported hearing "blood curdling screams" coming from the victim's apartment Saturday morning.

Investigators also spoke to an individual, who had received text messages from Eldredge that said "some f---ked up things are happen man" and "I feel responsible".

Authorities say Eldredge is homeless and has been known to flee the state to avoid previous criminal proceedings.

"We are heartened by the very efficient and thorough investigation by law enforcement in this case," county attorney Pete Orput said. "This office is preparing to extradite Eldredge from Illinois should it become necessary. We are prepared to bring all our resources to bear to bring this prosecution to a successful end."

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and the Washington County sheriff's office helped the Oak Park Heights Police Department in the investigation.