Fridley man indicted in thallium poisoning death
Stuart Hanmer, 35, a Fridley resident, was indicted by a grand jury on a count of premeditated first-degree murder and faces an existing second-degree murder charge after his roommate Cody Ernst, 33, died of thallium poisoning. Court records say Ernst fell ill May 15, was hospitalized and died June 22; prosecutors cite internet searches and three purchases of thallium found in connection with Hanmer, and bail was raised to $5 million without conditions ($2.5 million with conditions). Hanmer remains in custody at the Stearns County Jail pending further court proceedings.
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🔍 Key Facts
- Grand jury returned an indictment charging Stuart Hanmer with premeditated first-degree murder (in addition to an earlier second-degree murder charge).
- Bail was increased to $5,000,000 without conditions or $2,500,000 with conditions; defendant remains jailed at Stearns County Jail.
- Investigators reported finding internet searches for thallium on Hanmer’s phone, records of three separate transactions for thallium metal and oil, and a pharmacist said thallium levels in the victim indicated ingestion rather than environmental exposure.