Police: 95-Year-Old Man Found Murdered In His Anoka Home

ANOKA, Minn. (WCCO) -- A family is asking for the public's help after a 95-year-old Anoka man, and former WCCO Radio employee, was killed inside his home.

Relatives said Al Loehlein's family dropped him off at his home on Thanksgiving night.

Monday morning, a family member found his body inside his house.

Police said Loehlein was the victim of a homicide, and his home had been ransacked.

"If you looked up the word gentleman in the dictionary, that was Al," said nephew Bart Ward.

Loehlein worked for WCCO Radio for decades, taking care of the transmitter in Coon Rapids. A job his family said he loved.

"Fished, hunted. Dapperest guy in town. Ninety-five going on 75," said Ward. Loehlein also bottled his own maple syrup.

Ward said Loehlein may have lived a long life, but it was still a life that ended too soon.

"Early investigation would indicate that he died as a result of homicidal violence," said Cmdr. Paul Sommer of the Anoka County Sheriff's Office.

Investigators said Loehlein's family dropped him off at home Thursday night after a Thanksgiving dinner. Because of his age, they regularly kept in touch with him. When they couldn't reach him over the weekend a family member stopped by Monday morning and found him dead, the victim of what police are calling a "violent attack."

"This case basically represents a nightmare scenario for a lot of people who have loved ones living alone," said Sommer.

"I just tell people you got to be vigilant, you got to be prepared because you don't know when this is going to happen in your own backyard and it just happened in our backyard today," said Ward.

Police said someone had gone through Loehlein's home, and they aren't sure yet what was taken. As the investigation continues, neighbors say their thoughts are with his children and grandchildren.

"You try and give support as you can I guess. I'm not sure where they are at now but they will be in our prayers tonight as usual," said neighbor Chuck Hedstrom.

Police said there did not appear to be any forced entry.

Investigators do have one lead to go on.

Someone saw a man standing in Al Loehlein's driveway Saturday morning. But the description is vague.

The witness says the man was simply dressed in winter clothing.

Anyone with information, no matter how small it may seem, is urged to contact the Anoka County Sheriff's Office at 763-427-1212.