Bob Stach is looking for answers.
His cousin, Nicholas J. Keilen, 34, died over the weekend after he was beaten at a St. Paul pizza place in June, and Stach says he wants to see more progress on the case and the pizza joint closed.
"What I don't want to see happen is it just get forgotten," Stach said.
On Monday, St. Paul police announced they were investigating Keilen's death. Keilen was assaulted sometime between 10 p.m. June 5 and 1 a.m. June 6 in the 900 block of Arcade Street, according to a police news release. Keilen's family notified police Monday that he had died.
Stach said he was told by other family members that the assault took place at Checkerboard Pizza located on the corner of Arcade Street and E. Jenks Avenue in St. Paul. On the night he was beaten, Keilen reportedly went home to his parents and his father suggested that he go to the hospital, but Keilen didn't go, Stach said. Whoever beat him up told him that if he went to the authorities, they would kill him, Stach said. Keilen went to bed and eventually ended up slipping into a coma, Stach said.
St. Paul police spokesman Howie Padilla didn't share any additional information about the case Tuesday.
Jake Patrin used to skateboard with Keilen when they both attended Harding High School when they were younger, he said.
Patrin described Keilen as a "relaxed guy" who liked hanging out with friends and joked around a lot. Keilen worked with his father finishing and installing hardwood floors, Patrin said.
