A Minnesota resident, Avery Cadwell, 21, has confessed to the fatal stabbing of his neighbor over a dispute involving a $100 debt. On October 24, Cadwell admitted to second-degree murder in relation to the death of 28-year-old Codi Brown.
Court documents reveal that the incident occurred on June 15, when Brown was riding his ATV down Porcupine Road in Cass Lake, Minnesota. Cadwell, who had previously expressed his intention to confront Brown, pursued him on foot before delivering a lethal blow to Brown’s chest. Cadwell’s anger was reportedly fueled by his belief that Brown owed him $100.
After the stabbing, Brown managed to drive a short distance on his ATV before collapsing and falling to the ground. Deputies from the Beltrami Sheriff’s Office arrived at the scene around 9:30 p.m., where they found Brown lying next to his overturned ATV. He was not breathing and had no pulse. Brown was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Witnesses at the scene were able to identify Cadwell by his first name, prompting deputies to initiate a search involving a drone and K9 units. Cadwell was found after he emerged from the woods where he had fled and returned to his home. He was subsequently arrested and charged with Brown’s murder.
Court documents further reveal that Cadwell expressed regret to the police for bringing a knife to the confrontation with Brown. He also stated that he believed he had only injured Brown, not killed him.
Initially, Cadwell was facing a 40-year prison sentence for second-degree murder. However, following his guilty plea, a judge reduced his sentence to 25 years in prison.