A quiet morning in New Ulm, Minnesota was disrupted on Monday, March 9, 2026, when a passerby noticed a man sitting in his vehicle at the Spring Wayside Park off Highway 14 and felt he may be in need of assistance. This observation prompted a call to the Nicollet County Sheriff's Office, setting in motion an investigation into the death of 53-year-old Justin Lee Nelson.
Upon their arrival at the park, deputies from the Nicollet County Sheriff's Office, along with the Minnesota State
Patrol and the Courtland Fire Department, found Mr. Nelson deceased inside his locked truck. It was apparent that he had sustained a gunshot wound. In the course of their initial investigation of the scene, law enforcement officials recovered a firearm from within the vehicle.
The Nicollet County Sheriff's Office has stated that their investigation into the circumstances surrounding Justin Lee Nelson's death is ongoing. They are currently awaiting the results of an autopsy, which is expected to provide further information. As of this time, no details regarding any potential suspects or arrests in connection with this case have been released to the public. The investigation remains active as authorities work to piece together the events that led to this tragic discovery.
