Alvin C.A. Kempainen, 87, of Salo Location, was found dead in his Hancock Township home on December 19, 2023, the victim of a gunshot wound to the head. Concern arose after his son Alan received debit card alerts and texted Alvin; Alvin replied that the crew had arrived and he would see what happens. That was the last message Alan received from his father, and unanswered texts led to police being notified.

Investigators located and arrested 51-year-old Margaret Kempainen and her 21-year-old son Jacob Kempainen in Clear Lake, Iowa, the evening after a Kwik Trip debit transaction, along with a juvenile female who was with them. Margaret reportedly told investigators that Jacob shot his grandfather and that she told him to shoot again when Alvin tried to get up. The pair were charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder; Jacob also faces a felony firearms charge. Pretrial conferences set separate trial windows for Margaret in November and Jacob in late January.

The case includes references to a possible financial motive and to unusual claims about witchcraft and communications with spirits. Does anyone have information about Alvin, his movements that day, or contacts who might help clarify what happened?