When a Minnesota state park employee is brutally attacked on the job, her murderer is an elusive thorn in law enforcement’s side. Troves of forensic evidence left at the crime scene just needed technology to finally catch up with a killer.
Carrie Nelson (Photo Source) Find A Grave
Carrie Nelson (Photo Source) In Memory of Carrie Nelson Facebook Page
Blue Mounds State Park office (Photo Source) Grand Forks Herald
Katy Nelson and her mother, Nan (Photo Source) Star Tribune
Randy Swaney (Photo Source) The Globe
Blue Mounds State Park Map (Source) Google Maps
Blue Mounds State Park Image (Photo Source) City of Luverne
Episode Source Material
- Forensic Files: Season 13, Episode 11 “Watchful Eye” via Freevee
- Star Tribune: Blue Mounds killing is first of a state park worker. By Robert Franklin Via newspapers.com. (1)
- Star Tribune: Blue Mounds killing is first of a state park worker. By Robert Franklin Via newspapers.com. (2)
- The Associated Press: Half-staff flags honor slain park workers. By staff Via newspapers.com.
- The Associated Press: Police seek car near slaying site. By staff Via newspapers.com.
- Star Tribune: Clue found in park worker’s death. By Sarah Baker Via newspapers.com.
- The Associated Press: Lots of tips but no suspect yet in state park killing. By staff Via newspapers.com.
- Austin Daily Herald: Former County Deputy Honored. By Lee Bonorden Via newspapers.com. (1)
- Austin Daily Herald: Former County Deputy Honored. By Lee Bonorden Via newspapers.com. (2)
- The Associated Press: Living Memorial Started for Murdered Park Worker. By staff Via newspapers.com.
- The Associated Press: Flower garden is memorial to slain park worker. By staff Via newspapers.com.
- The Associated Press via MPR News: Suspect charged in 2001 State Park Killing. By staff.
- Pioneer Press via TwinCities.com: DNA, photos link suspect to unsolved Minn. State Park murder. By staff.
- Star Tribune: This watch found near her body led police to this man. By Richard Meryhew Via newspapers.com. (1)
- Star Tribune: This watch found near her body led police to this man. By Richard Meryhew Via newspapers.com. (2)
- The Associated Press: DNA, photos, link suspect to unsolved Minn. state park murder. By staff Via newspapers.com.
- The Associated Press via St. Cloud Times: DNA links prisoner to 2001 park murder case. By staff Via newspapers.com.
- Pipestone County Star: S.D. inmate charged with 2001 murder. By Steven Swenson.
- The Associated Press: Murder suspect waives extradition. By staff Via newspapers.com.
- The Associated Press: $1 million bail ordered for man charged with killing park worker. By staff Via newspapers.com.
- The Associated Press via St. Cloud Times: Judge says no to request for reduced bail. By staff Via newspapers.com.
- Republican Eagle: Tentative trial date set for man accused of murdering state park worker. By staff.
- The Austin Daily Herald: Trial to begin in state park worker murder. By staff Via newspapers.com.
- The Associated Press via The Austin Daily Herald: Jury nearly selected in park worker trial. By staff Via newspapers.com.
- The Austin Daily Herald: Autopsy results released in murder. By staff Via newspapers.com.
- The Associated Press via The Austin Daily Herald: DNA, fingerprints cited in trial. By staff Via newspapers.com.
- The Associated Press via Star Tribune: Jurors see autopsy photos in Blue Mounds murder. By staff Via newspapers.com.
- The Associated Press via The Austin Daily Herald: State park murder trial continues. By staff Via newspapers.com.
- The Associated Press via The Austin Daily Herald: Blood expert testifies in SW Minn. Trial. By staff Via newspapers.com.
- The Globe: Swaney’s parents, brother among those who testify. By J. Wettschreck.
- The Austin Daily Herald: Murder trial continues. By staff Via newspapers.com.
- Rock County Star Herald: Closing arguments delivered in Randy Swaney murder trial. By Lori Ehde.
- The Associated Press via St. Cloud Times: Suspect takes stand in state park worker death. By staff Via newspapers.com.
- The Associated Press via The Albert Lea Tribune: Jury convicts suspect in killing at a state park. By staff Via newspapers.com. (1)
- The Associated Press via The Albert Lea Tribune: Jury convicts suspect in killing at a state park. By staff Via newspapers.com. (2)
- The Associated Press via MPR News: Suspect convicted in state park killing, sentenced to life. By staff.
- The Associated Press via St. Cloud Times: Man convicted of killing park worker. By staff Via newspapers.com.
- The Austin Daily Herald: Minn. High court reviews conviction in park murder. By staff Via newspapers.com.
- The Globe: Supreme court appeal denied for murderer of state park worker. By staff.
- The Associated Press via MPR News: Conviction upheld in killing of state park worker. By staff.
- Swaney v. State Appeal
- Grand Forks Herald: She was a park worker, slain on the job in 2001, killer unknown. Then a clue on a watch cracked the case. By Trisha Taurinskas.
- Randy Leeroyal Swaney Minnesota Department of Corrections Profile