Adam Thorpe, 39, traveled from his Maple Grove home to the Bemidji, Minnesota area in late January 2019. Family members lost contact and reported him missing on February 4, after learning he was traveling with another man, Jason J. McDonough, 41. Deputies found the pair’s vehicle at a casino east of Bemidji, and the inquiry led to a residence in Eckles Township northwest of Bemidji.

On February 5 investigators discovered the remains of two people burned in a fire pit on the property; preliminary identification confirmed one set of remains as Adam Thorpe. The investigation found Thorpe and McDonough had been lured to the home of Darren Lloyd Stebe, then 44, and that robbery was the motive. When McDonough refused to hand over money, Stebe shot and killed both men and later attempted to burn their bodies.

Stebe was arrested and charged with the murders. Two other people were implicated: Kristi Trisco, Stebe’s girlfriend, and associate Daniel Linde. Trisco later admitted helping Stebe spend about $5,000 taken from the victims and using one of their vehicles, and both Trisco and Linde pleaded guilty to roles in the crime. Stebe pleaded guilty to two counts of first-degree murder and received two concurrent life sentences.

If anyone knew Thorpe’s travel plans or saw his vehicle in late January 2019, please share what was seen.