On a tragic evening in rural Albert Lea, Minnesota, 66-year-old Brenda Kay Krause, a Caucasian female, was found deceased in her residence on June 10, 2025. An investigation into her death would later reveal a harrowing story that culminated in a police chase and a fatal officer-involved shooting. The Ramsey County Medical Examiner's Office determined that Krause died from gunshot wounds, and her death was officially ruled a homicide.
The events that led to the discovery of Brenda’s body began to unfold when law enforcement was dispatched to a residence on the 21000 block of 880th Avenue at approximately 7 p.m.. Authorities had received a report that a man, later identified as 44-year-old Nathaniel Dewitt Bailey, had sent a text message to a woman claiming he had just killed his mother. When officers arrived, they learned that Bailey had already fled the scene in a vehicle.
Law enforcement officers located Bailey's vehicle near Austin in Mower County and attempted to initiate a traffic stop.. Bailey, however, fled from the officers, leading them on a chase that ended back at the original residence in Albert Lea. Upon his return, Bailey exited his vehicle while armed with a handgun.. In the ensuing confrontation, multiple officers from various agencies discharged their firearms, striking Bailey. He was pronounced deceased at the scene after medical aid was rendered..
It was during a subsequent search of the property that officers made the grim discovery of Brenda Kay Krause's body inside the residence.. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is leading the ongoing investigation into both the homicide of Brenda Krause and the officer-involved shooting of Nathaniel Bailey.. A handgun and spent cartridge casings were recovered at the scene, and portions of the incident were captured on body-worn cameras.. The officers involved in the shooting were placed on critical incident leave, a standard procedure in such cases..
