Ex-con charged in Osakis, Minn., woman's death in break-in

A 52-year-old ex-convict was charged on Tuesday with killing a woman who stumbled upon him as he burglarized her home in central Minnesota.

Jeffery A. Brooks of Alexandria, Minn., was charged with second-degree murder in the May 20 death of Diane Fortenberry, 51, at her family's home southwest of Osakis. A medical examiner's report said that Fortenberry died from "blunt force trauma."

Brooks was arrested about a week later after a thumbprint matching his was found on a plastic shopping bag found in an Alexandria mobile home park trash bin that held shoes with Fortenberry's blood on one of them, according to a criminal complaint. The bin also had a garbage bag with an Xbox system and a jewelry box from her home, the complaint said.

Several items were taken from the family residence, which overlooks Lake Osakis, police said. They included a 32-inch television, gold jewelry, a laptop computer, collector coins and bills, camera equipment and numerous family credit cards.

Fortenberry was killed when she came home on her lunch break from her job to let a dog out and interrupted Brooks after he had broken in, authorities have said. One of her sons found her body when he came home from work about 5 p.m. that day.

Brooks was employed at Long Prairie Packing Plant, and a common route from home included passing the victim's home, the complaint said.

When questioned by investigators, Brooks first said he was in the Twin Cities visiting relatives. Then he said he drove to Sauk Centre to cash a check before stopping in the Osakis area to buy a fishing license, which he did not purchase, according to the charge.

Brooks was in court Tuesday and was ordered held in lieu of $1 million bail with conditions.

State records show that Brooks' criminal record dates back nearly 20 years to a burglary in St. Paul. Other convictions include drug possession in St. Paul, theft in Fergus Falls and burglary in Cold Spring.

Fortenberry was born in Alexandria and grew up near Osakis. She and her husband had lived in Mississippi. They returned to Minnesota about three years ago after Hurricane Katrina and a house fire.

Paul Walsh • 612-673-4482