Executive Summary
- Chad Aanerud sentenced to life in prison for murder, arson, and kidnapping in Crow Wing County.
- Victim Lyle Maske was fatally shot while intervening to protect a neighbor and her children.
- Aanerud pleaded guilty to five felonies while 16 other counts were dismissed.
- The suspect was apprehended following a citizen tip generated by a statewide Amber Alert.
- Authorities recovered 13 stolen firearms from the vehicle used in the kidnapping.
A Brainerd, Minnesota man has been sentenced to life in prison following a violent 2024 crime spree that included murder, arson, and the kidnapping of a mother and her four children. Chad Aanerud, 36, received the sentence on Tuesday from a Crow Wing County district judge, concluding a case that triggered a statewide Amber Alert and resulted in the death of a neighbor who attempted to intervene.
According to court records, Aanerud pleaded guilty in December to five charges, including first-degree murder while committing first-degree arson, kidnapping, first-degree burglary in possession of a dangerous weapon, and two counts of second-degree assault. Prosecutors in Crow Wing County had initially charged Aanerud with 21 felonies; however, the remaining 16 counts were dismissed as part of the judicial proceedings. The judge ordered Aanerud to serve his sentence at the St. Cloud prison.
Authorities stated that the events unfolded on November 1, 2024, on a rural gravel road where the victim, 62-year-old Lyle Maske, lived near Nikkole Dobson and her children. Law enforcement officials reported that Aanerud, who was prohibited from possessing firearms due to eight prior felony convictions, assaulted Dobson and set off a chain of violent events. When Dobson’s children fled to Maske’s home for safety, Maske intervened but was fatally shot by Aanerud in the driveway.
Following the shooting, investigators say Aanerud went to Maske’s residence, fired a warning shot to force the children into a minivan, and set fire to a home on Dobson’s property before fleeing. A Morrison County resident later spotted the vehicle described in the Amber Alert near Little Falls and contacted 911, leading to Aanerud’s arrest by a sheriff’s deputy and state trooper within an hour of the alert. Police recovered 13 stolen firearms from the minivan at the scene. While the children were physically unharmed, Dobson suffered injuries to her face and body.
It is important to note that all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law regarding any dismissed charges or outstanding allegations.
Judicial Conclusion & Public Safety
This sentencing marks the closure of a high-profile case that highlighted the critical efficacy of the statewide Amber Alert system in apprehending violent offenders. The swift coordination between law enforcement and vigilant citizens likely prevented further tragedy, given the cache of weapons found in the perpetrator’s possession. Legally, the life sentence reinforces the severe consequences for repeat felony offenders who escalate domestic disputes into lethal violence, particularly when bystanders are victimized while attempting to provide aid.
