Police now say retired New Brighton firefighter was slain

Article by: ABBY SIMONS , Star Tribune
Updated: March 3, 2010 - 9:15 PM

A wallet was taken from Lee Goodwin's home the day he was found dead.

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Officials now say the January death of a retired New Brighton firefighter was a homicide, and they're asking for the public's help in determining who is responsible.

Lee Allen Goodwin, 70, was found by his wife Jan. 29 at the foot of the stairs of their home in the 800 block of 2nd Street NW.

Investigators first considered the death accidental or natural, but it was later classified suspicious. The Ramsey County medical examiner's office determined Goodwin died suddenly, "due to an assault." Officials declined to release other details pending completion of the investigation.

A resident found Goodwin's wallet in a dumpster. His driver's license and other identification were in the wallet, but it contained no cash or credit cards. Officials are still working to determine whether other property was taken.

New Brighton Public Safety Director Bob Jacobson said last month that Goodwin spoke to his wife by phone at 7:45 a.m. the day of his death and missed a doctor's appointment. His wife found the body at 5:15 p.m. Police found no sign of a break-in.

The New Brighton Department of Public Safety and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension asking that anyone with information call 651-288-4100 or 651-288-4137, or leave an anonymous tip at www.newbrightonmn.gov/publicsafety.

Information also may be reported to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS or www.crimestoppersmn.org. A reward of up to $1,000 is offered for tips that lead to arrests and charges.

Abby Simons • 612-673-4921