Investigators Seek Public Help After Eickholt's Death in Hastings

William Michael Eickholt, 74, of Denmark Township, was identified as the man found dead in a ditch in Hastings, Minnesota, on February 2, 2023. His identification was confirmed through a DNA match by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and supported by security camera footage and personal effects. Eickholt had been reported missing the day before after authorities responded to multiple fires on his property. The cause and manner of his death remain under investigation, with authorities considering it suspicious. Investigators are seeking public assistance, particularly from residents and business owners in the area with security footage from the night of February 1 to the morning of February 2. Friends and investigators suspect foul play, possibly linked to Eickholt's gender expression, and have set up a memorial in his honor.