A passerby in New Ulm, Minnesota called for help on the morning of Monday, March 9, 2026, after seeing a man seated in a vehicle at Spring Wayside Park off Highway 14 who appeared to need assistance. Deputies from the Nicollet County Sheriff’s Office, Minnesota State Patrol and Courtland Fire Department found 53-year-old Justin Lee Nelson deceased inside his locked pickup truck, with an apparent gunshot wound. A firearm was recovered from the vehicle during the initial scene investigation.

Authorities say the investigation is ongoing and that they are awaiting autopsy results. No suspects or arrests have been publicly identified. If anyone was in or near Spring Wayside Park on March 9 and saw anything unusual, please share what you know with investigators.