Minneapolis, MN
MN Crematorium Manager Admits To Selling Metals From Cremated Bodies
MINNEAPOLIS — A retired crematorium manager pleaded guilty to one count of theft by swindle in connection with the illegal sale of precious metals recovered after incinerating bodies at Lakewood Cemetery in Minneapolis.
Under the plea deal, Timothy Flanigan, 67, now of Texas will avoid a 42-month sentence if he successfully serves out his five-year probation.
Flanigan also must complete 2,080 hours of community service and pay restitution of the $306,500 and payment of $90,178 in Lakewood’s attorney fees. His formal sentencing hearing is scheduled for May.
From 2016 to 2021, Flanigan received and deposited more than $306,000 into his bank account from the sales, according to investigators.
In April 2022, the Minneapolis Police Department received a report that a former employee, Flanigan, stole from Lakewood Cemetery.
According to authorities, Flanigan worked for the cemetery from 1984 to Sept. 30, 2021. During that time, he was tasked with the incineration of deceased bodies.
He also took the remains of nonorganic objects from cremated remains which contained rare and valuable metals, police said.
According to court documents, after the incineration process, Flanigan separated the metals — including steel, titanium, and dental scrap — into different buckets.
He would work then with recycling companies once a year to purchase the metals, investigators said.
Without authorization from Lakewood Cemetery, Flanigan represented himself to businesses as the owner of Lakewood Cemetery, according to the criminal complaint. He then sold the materials to multiple metal recyclers, police said.
The proceeds from the recycled materials were supposed to be sent to charity, but he instead deposited them into his bank account, according to the criminal complaint.
There is no evidence that any of the recycling proceeds were sent to charity, investigators said.
Flanigan’s theft was discovered after a check issued to him was returned to Lakewood after he retired, authorities said.
The scene of the crash at 26th Avenue North and Emerson Avenue North in Minneapolis. (FOX 9)
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – A Minneapolis woman was sentenced for her role in a deadly crash that killed two women and injured two other people in December 2024.
READ MORE: Minneapolis woman charged in fatal high-speed crash faces additional charges
Woman sentenced in fatal Minneapolis crash
Big picture view:
Prosecutors say Teniki Steward drove a Buick Enclave into a bus shelter and a Ford Explorer after speeding through a red light.
Both of the women in the Ford Explorer died in the crash. They were identified as 53-year-old Ester Jean Fulks and 57-year-old Rose Elaine Reece.
During the crash, the Ford Explorer went off the road, injuring a 17-year-old boy who was waiting for a school bus.
The passenger in Steward’s vehicle also suffered injuries.
Minneapolis police said that Steward was also injured in the crash.
Steward pleaded guilty to multiple murder charges.
What they’re saying:
During the sentencing, the daughter of one of the victims had a statement read on her behalf:
“There’s nothing that can truly prepare you for the moment your entire world is taken from you. Losing my mom has left a pain in my heart that words will never be able to explain.”
What’s next:
Minnesota law requires that Steward serves at least two-thirds of her sentence, a bit under eight-and-a-half years, in prison.
Fatal Emerson and 26th crash
The backstory:
According to the criminal complaint, through surveillance videos from the scene of the crash and witnesses, investigators learned that Steward, driving the Buick Enclave, had been driving at a high rate of speed northbound on Emerson Avenue North.
Before the fatal crash, Steward sped through the intersection of Emerson Avenue North and Broadway Avenue North, running a red light and nearly causing a crash, the charges said.
Steward then continued to speed northbound down Emerson Avenue North, and ran another red light at 26th Avenue North, hitting the Ford Explorer, which was traveling eastbound, according to the complaint.
The Ford Explorer had been at the intersection of Emerson and 26th on a green light.
Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty shared the following statement:
“This was an egregious act that took Rose and Esther’s lives and injured a child waiting to go to school at a bus stop. Ms. Steward was driving at extremely dangerous speeds on city streets and narrowly avoided multiple collisions before the incident occurred. Third-degree murder charges are appropriate to hold her accountable and protect our community.”
The Source: This story uses information gathered from an Olmsted County court appearance and previous FOX 9 reporting.
A motorcyclist is dead after an early morning crash in Minneapolis Friday morning.
The Minnesota State Patrol said that at 1:20 a.m., a Suzuki Motorcycle going north on I-35W at Johnson Street hit the left side of the median guard rail.
The motorcycle continued north for about another quarter mile before coming to a rest on the right-hand side.
State Patrol said the rider came to rest on the left shoulder. He was later identified as 21-year-old Andrew James Neuberger.
ROCHESTER, Minn. (KTTC) – The Rochester Spartans boys volleyball team played its second game on consecutive nights. The Spartans beat Minneapolis Camden 3-0.
Rochester’s next game will be Tuesday, April 21, at St. Anthony Village at 7:00 p.m.
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