Man found dead in Hastings ditch may be connected to 'suspicious' fire

Authorities are investigating after the body of a man was found in a ditch in Hastings on Sunday morning. The man's death could be connected to a suspicious fire that happened in Denmark Township. 

Man's body found at Lake Isabelle in Hastings

What we know:

According to Hastings police, its department along with the Washington County Sheriff's Office is investigating the death of a man after he was found in a ditch just south of Lake Isabelle in Hastings. 

Police say officers responded to the 1300 block of Ravenna Trail just before 10 a.m. after receiving a 911 call stating a man was dead in the ditch. The body was found east of the bridge that crosses the Vermillion River. 

Connection to suspicious fire in Denmark Township

What we don't know:

The identity of the man and his cause of death will be determined by the Hennepin County Medical Examiner. 

Although the man's identity hasn't been confirmed, authorities say they believe the man's body being found is connected to a suspicious fire investigation in Denmark Township. 

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA), issued a missing person alert for 74-year-old William Eickholt. Police responded to Eikholt's home in Denmark Townshi around 2:30 a.m. Saturday on reports of a fire. The BCA said that evidence at the scene of the fire indicated Eickholt was injured. 

Authorities have not officially identified the Hastings victim, so it is not confirmed if Eickholt is connected to that investigation.

What they're saying:

Law enforcement is asking anyone who saw a vehicle stopped on the side of the road at the 1300 block of Ravenna Trail between 2 a.m. on Saturday and 9:50 a.m. on Sunday, to contact Hastings police at 651-480-2300 or the Washington CountySheriff's Office at 651-439-9381. Anyone with any information on the Denmark Township fire is encouraged to call either department as well. 

The Source: A press release from Hastings police, and social media posts from the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. 

Crime and Public SafetyWashington County