St. Cloud, Minn. — A man has been indicted on first-degree murder charges after allegedly poisoning his roommate with a toxic substance earlier this year. The grand jury’s decision comes in light of a tragic series of events that led to the hospitalization and subsequent death of the victim.
Stuart William Hanmer and Cody Ernst lived together at a halfway house beginning May 3. On May 16, Ernst experienced severe symptoms, including vomiting, seizure-like activity, and intense chest and abdominal pains, prompting his visit to CentraCare St. Cloud Hospital. He was discharged the same day but returned the following day, complaining of numbness and burning sensations in his limbs. After leaving the hospital against medical advice, he collapsed shortly thereafter due to excruciating pain. His condition worsened over the coming days, leading to further hospital transfers before a lethal screening on June 15 revealed a dangerous level of thallium in his system.
University of Minnesota police alerted the St. Cloud authorities about the poisoning case following a heavy metals test that indicated a potentially fatal dose of thallium. Investigations into Hanmer initially seemed standard, but they soon took a darker turn when his internet search history revealed a concerning interest in the toxic element. During a meeting with investigators on July 7, Hanmer admitted to smoking marijuana and drinking coffee with Ernst but claimed ignorance regarding thallium.
Police executed a search warrant on August 1 at Hanmer’s residence and discovered shocking evidence. Despite his claims of not knowing about thallium, his phones contained searches from as early as April that detailed the compound’s deadly effects, dosage information, and instructions on how to procure it. These searches intensified in mid-May, coinciding with Ernst’s deteriorating health, as they sought ways to manipulate thallium and questioned its retention in the body after vomiting.
Further investigations uncovered PayPal transactions linked to multiple orders of thallium, which were sent to a P.O. box associated with Hanmer. This evidence solidified suspicions of intentional poisoning. Initially charged with second-degree murder, Hanmer’s case escalated when the grand jury returned with a first-degree murder indictment.
Following the indictment, the judge increased Hanmer’s bail to $5 million without conditions, or $2.5 million with stipulations, reflecting the severity of the charges against him. The chilling details of this case have raised questions about safety in shared living environments and the alarming potential for lethal actions in domestic situations. As the judicial process unfolds, the community remains in shock over the tragic circumstances that led to this indictment.