Bethany Anne Bernatsky, aged 46, was tragically killed on October 7, 2021, in a cabin at the Cozy Bay Resort on Lake Edward near Nisswa, Minnesota. The incident occurred late at night, and it was reported that multiple gunshots were heard coming from the cabin. Law enforcement responded to the scene and found Bernatsky with multiple gunshot wounds.
She had recently moved to the area and was staying at the resort for the winter.
The suspect in this case is Cameron Jay Moser, a 29-year-old man from Brainerd, Minnesota. Moser was arrested near the scene, carrying both a rifle and a handgun. He was taken into custody after a nearly two-hour negotiation with deputies, during which he agreed to put down his weapons. Moser has been charged with second-degree intentional murder in connection with Bernatsky's death.
Authorities believe that the shooting was a case of mistaken identity. Moser allegedly mistook Bernatsky for his former girlfriend, who is the daughter of Bret Jevning, the owner of the RV park located across the street from the resort. Moser had been looking for his ex-girlfriend, who had recently overcome drug abuse through counseling, and was reportedly angry because he was denied access to her. Both families confirmed that Bernatsky and Moser's ex-girlfriend bore a resemblance in terms of body structure, height, and hair color.
Moser remains in custody with bail set at $1 million, and his next court appearance was scheduled for October 20, 2021. The tragic incident has left the community in shock, as Bernatsky was well-known in the Brainerd lakes area for her expertise in dressage horse training and her gentle approach to training.
