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Brainerd man sentenced to life in 2024 murder, kidnapping case
Aanerud received life with parole after 30 years for fatal shooting and lengthy consecutive sentences for kidnapping, burglary, and assault under a plea deal.
- On Tuesday, Feb. 17, Chad Aaron Aanerud, a 36-year-old Brainerd man, was sentenced to life with the possibility of release after 30 years for first-degree murder of 62-year-old Lyle Maske, following a plea agreement entered Dec. 17, 2025.
- After a confrontation on Oct. 31–Nov. 1, 2025, Aanerud filled buckets with diesel and set a residence ablaze; a 911 call came at 1:50 a.m., followed by an Amber Alert at 7:20 a.m.
- Evidence at the scene included rifle casings near Lyle Maske, who was pronounced dead at 2:19 a.m., while Nikkole Dobson and her four minor children were found in the van with 13 stolen firearms and Dobson showing injuries.
- Crow Wing County Judge Kristine DeMay approved a plea that imposed 240 months for kidnapping, 114 months for burglary, and two 42-month assault terms, with credit for 474 days served.
- Victims and family members told the court that Dobson's parents sought mental-health treatment and the oldest child said `I no longer trust anyone` as Aanerud addressed the court, saying he has sought sobriety, taken accountability and apologized.
16 Articles
16 Articles
Man Killed Neighbor, Kidnapped Pregnant Girlfriend and Her 4 Kids
A man in Minnesota was convicted after he fatally shot his neighbor and abducted his pregnant girlfriend and her four children during a 2024 incident. Chad Aanerud was sentenced to life with the possibility of parole after 30 years during a court hearing on Tuesday, February 17, according to CBS Minnesota. Aanerud, 36, was sentenced after he pleaded guilty to first-degree murder, kidnapping, first-degree burglary and two counts of second-degree …
Brainerd man sentenced to life in 2024 murder, kidnapping case
BRAINERD — A 36-year-old Brainerd man has been sentenced to life in prison for the November 2024 shooting death of a man and the abduction of a pregnant woman and her children near Brainerd. Chad Aaron Aanerud entered a plea agreement on Dec. 17, 2025, and was sentenced Tuesday, Feb. 17, to life with the possibility of release after 30 years for the first-degree murder of 62-year-old Lyle Maske. For the charge of kidnapping to facilitate a felon…
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