Receipts may be clue in Chaska man's death

A Chaska businessman found dead in a burning truck was living far beyond his means, authorities found.

By HERÓN MÁRQUEZ ESTRADA, Star Tribune

Last update: March 4, 2009 - 11:42 PM

The mystery surrounding the death of Daniel Juarez deepened Wednesday, as authorities filed a search warrant indicating the Chaska businessman found in a burning truck had lived a lifestyle far out of proportion with his stated income.

C. Michael Phill with the state Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, said in the warrant filed in Hennepin County District Court that Juarez had monthly expenses totaling $8,500 to $10,000 for such things as utility bills, credit cards, gasoline and other expenses, but disclosed an income of only about $24,000 per year.

In addition to paying for homes he owned in Chaska, Burnsville and Minneapolis, Juarez also "supported a girlfriend and her children in Burnsville," Phill states in the warrant.

"It is clear Juarez was receiving a substantial amount of income from unknown sources," Phill wrote. "The discrepancy in known income and debt payment may indicate involvement in illegal activity."

Juarez's body was found about 4:30 a.m. on Dec. 6 in a burning truck in a remote, wooded area of Sibley County about a mile and a half northeast of Green Isle.

Wednesday's search warrant for the first time states that the body was found "burned in the rear cargo portion" of his company's sports utility vehicle.

The BCA and the Sibley County Sheriff's Office have not revealed how Juarez died.

Juarez, the father of four, was co-owner of a satellite TV businesses. Shortly before his death he had founded a Spanish language newspaper, El Heraldo.

Clues have been so thin in the case that the Sibley Sheriff's Office last month offered a $10,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction in the case.

Carver County District Court records show Juarez was arrested and charged with domestic assault last April and pleaded guilty to several misdemeanor counts for those offenses. A restraining order was obtained against him by his wife after the April assault, but later was lifted.

Heron Marquez Estrada • 612-673-4280

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