Van abandoned in Utah connected to July murder of Eden Prairie man

Eden Prairie police are trying to determine who killed a 74-year-old man in his home on July 22.

Officers were called to a residence in the 7900 block of South Bay Curve on a welfare check around 3:22 p.m. Upon arrival, they discovered the body of a man matching the description of the homeowner. The Hennepin County Medical Examiner confirmed the victim was the homeowner, 74-year-old Allen Retzer.  

An investigation into the incident revealed evidence indicating foul play may have been involved in the death. The Hennepin County Medical Examiner determined the man had injuries consistent with a homicide.

Eden Prairie police later discovered a Chrysler Town and Country minivan belonging to the victim had been abandoned in Draper, Utah and impounded by the Utah State Patrol. Investigators from the police department collected evidence from the vehicle with the help of Utah law enforcement officials and returned it to Minnesota.

On Tuesday, the Eden Prairie Police Department said they are currently pursuing a person of interest in this case. Police believe the incident was not random and there is no threat to the general public.