Minnesota farmhand charged in death of 79-year-old boss

A longtime farmhand in southern Minnesota shot and killed his boss, a man whose death would bring the debt-ridden worker a "significant financial benefit," according to a criminal complaint.

Travis J. Bauer, 46, of Winthrop, was charged Monday in Sibley County District Court with second-degree murder in connection with the shooting of Dennis D. Weitzenkamp, 79, on Sept. 20 about a mile north of Winthrop on farmland in the 54100 block of 266th Street.

Bauer was arrested and released Tuesday after posting bail. He's due back in court April 6.

Bauer had helped Weitzenkamp "farm his land for many years and was considered part of the family," the complaint read.

Law enforcement's review of Bauer's finances showed that he "had significant debt and was behind on bills," according to the complaint.

About an hour before Weitzenkamp was found dead, Bauer "received multiple phone calls informing [him] that he was late on payments for his home, and if the payments were not made, [he] could lose the home," the complaint continued.

A separate court document showed that Bauer satisfied a lawsuit in February 2022 and paid nearly $50,000 he owed on a revolving credit account to John Deere Financial.

Trust documents disclosed to investigators that Bauer "would receive significant financial benefit" from Weitzenkamp's death, the complaint added.

Bauer's attorney, David Risk, told the Star Tribune on Wednesday that his client didn't kill Weitzenkamp.

"Mr. Bauer was shocked and traumatized to find his friend unresponsive," Risk said. "Despite his grief, he cooperated with the investigation and gave multiple interviews [to investigators].

"Being arrested for that death almost six months later after his full cooperation has again shocked my client. He is at a loss, and the community is no closer to seeing justice, as Mr. Bauer is innocent."

According to the complaint and related court documents:

Bauer called 911 shortly after 2:30 p.m. and said Weitzenkamp was unresponsive. Bauer said he met him briefly about 10 to 15 minutes earlier.

Police Chief Logan Anderson arrived at the property and saw Weitzenkamp slumped to his left in a chair in the machine shed. A large pool of blood was below his head, which appeared to have a fresh bullet wound. No gun was located within his reach. An autopsy revealed Weitzenkamp had been shot in the back of the head.

Bauer said he left the farm about 2:15 p.m. for an auto parts store. He met Weitzenkamp driving toward the farm and they spoke briefly. Bauer said he returned to the farm and saw an unresponsive Weitzenkamp in the chair.

Law enforcement analysis of Bauer's and Weitzenkamp's cellphones, however, showed they were both at the farm at 2:16 p.m., even though Bauer said he never saw Weitzenkamp at the farm property after they left for separate lunch breaks.

The investigation revealed that the cap and pants Bauer had on that day had gunshot residue on them, even though he contended that he last fired a gun three weeks earlier.

According to his online obituary, Weitzenkamp moved to the Winthrop area in 1998. He enjoyed "watching sports, playing cards, bowling, traveling with family, driving trucks and wintering in Florida," his obituary said.

He joined the National Guard in 1964 and served in the Army for one year starting in 1968, during the Vietnam War.