Fiqremariam Kidus Dereje Zewde, known to his loved ones as Kidus, was a kind and humble young man with a bright future. The 23-year-old was a student at the University of Minnesota, studying construction management and on track to graduate the following year. He worked as a project manager at his father's HVAC company and was known for his strong work ethic. Kidus was active, enjoying soccer and recently taking up boxing.
His family remembers his beautiful smile and how he was always there for his friends and younger siblings. He was deeply loved by everyone who knew him.
On the afternoon of September 23, 2026, Kidus left his family’s home in Rosemount, Minnesota, to play indoor soccer at the TOCA Soccer and Sports Center in Burnsville. He had been studying for an exam scheduled for the next day. When he didn't return home, his family grew concerned. Their fears were confirmed in the early morning hours when Rosemount police informed them that Kidus had been found deceased. A security worker for a construction company had discovered his body late that night outside his car near the site of the Meta Data Center, at the intersection of 152nd Street East and Blaine Avenue. He had suffered a single gunshot wound to the head.
Police who responded to the scene located a firearm between his legs. The medical examiner later determined his time of death was 11:31 p.m. The Rosemount Police Department informed the family that they did not suspect foul play in his death. However, Kidus’s family immediately questioned this conclusion, stating emphatically that he did not own a gun and that they did not believe he would harm himself. They described him as being in the best shape of his life with a promising future ahead of him, making the idea of suicide seem impossible to them.
The investigation into Kidus's death is being handled by the Rosemount Police Department. The family expressed concerns that the investigation was not as thorough as it should have been, noting that the car Kidus was driving was returned to them shortly after his death without being taken in for a detailed forensic investigation. In public statements, the police department extended condolences to the family and affirmed their commitment to a thorough and professional investigation. Investigations Sergeant Alex Eckstein stated that officers had dedicated many hours to the case and met with the family on multiple occasions.
Weeks after his death, the police department reiterated that there was no evidence indicating foul play or criminal activity. They cautioned the public against spreading misinformation and speculation out of respect for the family and the integrity of the investigation. No official cause or manner of death has been released to the public. The family believes the conclusion of no foul play is premature and continues to push for a more comprehensive investigation into what happened in the wooded area just seven minutes from their home.
In their search for answers, Kidus's family started a GoFundMe campaign to help with funeral costs and to support their efforts to ensure a full investigation. They described their family as heartbroken and asked the community to help share his story. A candlelight vigil was held in Rosemount in October to honor his life. Loved ones remembered a young man who would have turned 24 on October 13, 2026.
As of October 2026, the investigation into the death of Fiqremariam Kidus Dereje Zewde remained active and ongoing. His family continues to seek the truth and justice for Kidus, questioning the circumstances surrounding his final moments and waiting for answers that might explain how his life was cut short.
