Man Identified 31 Years After Fatal Fall Through Genealogy Research

After 31 years, the identity of a man who died after falling off a high wall at the Church Street downtown library is finally known. Donald Elden Verhalen was identified after genealogy research was performed on a bone sample by the Othram Lab in Texas.

Verhalen sustained a serious head injury from the fall on August 7, 1993, and died at the hospital. He was 56.
The investigation by MNPD Cold Case Homicide detectives revealed Verhalen lost contact with his family years prior but was originally from Wisconsin. At the time of his death, he was homeless and had no identification on his person.

His death was ruled accidental by the Medical Examiner's Office.