Information Release: Eyota Fatal Incident Update
On January 15, 2022, at approximately 1:04 AM, Deputies responded to a Medical incident in the 500 block of Canyon Lane NW in the City of Eyota. Dispatch information was that three males were unresponsive in the garage at this address. Multiple Deputies along with Eyota Ambulance, St. Charles Ambulance, Mayo Clinic Ambulance, and Eyota Fire Department arrived on the scene and coordinated life-saving measures on the three subjects. One subject identified as Brandon Joseph Mueller was pronounced deceased at the scene, while the two other victims were transported to St. Mary’s Hospital in critical condition. One of the victims transported, Anthony George Holzer, was later pronounced deceased at the hospital. The third victim was treated and later released from the hospital and is recovering at home. All three men were residents of Eyota. It was initially thought that carbon monoxide may have been the cause for the men becoming unresponsive and ultimately leading to their deaths. However, preliminary results from the medical examiner’s office showed that not to be the case.
Out of concern for public safety, The Sheriff’s Office has spoken with the families of the deceased and is now disclosing additional information. Based on the preliminary autopsy results, the two victims died as a result of overdoses of controlled substances, specifically cocaine intoxication. This preliminary testing does not specifically cover other potential substances that could be present in the cocaine, or another standalone substance that contributed to or caused the deaths. The Sheriff’s Office must now wait for the results of final toxicology results to determine what the actual cause was. This process could take up to 12 weeks to receive the results.
As stated, we are releasing this information out of concern for public safety in hopes that no other victims are affected by potentially dangerous controlled substances, whether they be “laced” into other drugs or a standalone substance. Although unknown in this particular incident, other overdoses have included pressed pills or drugs laced with fentanyl or carfentanil, both of which are powerful synthetic opioids.
This investigation is still ongoing and will take time for Sheriff’s Office investigators to complete. We ask that anyone with information on the case contact the Sheriff’s Office directly or through Crimestoppers. The Olmsted County Sheriff’s Office is working to be respectful of the families’ privacy and we ask that all persons interested in the investigation do the same. We also ask that the public be wise in social media comments as this is an extremely difficult time for the families and social media negativity is just not warranted.
Finally, the Olmsted County Sheriff’s Office sends its deepest condolences to the family and friends of the families involved.