Otto charged with arson, concealing body

Posted 12/21/21

Dakota County Attorney Kathy Kecna announced that Timothy Lee Otto. 33, of 312 2nd St. EApt. 2, Hastings, has been charged with one felony count each of Arson in the Sccond Degree and Interference …

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Otto charged with arson, concealing body

Posted

Dakota County Attorney Kathy Kecna announced that Timothy Lee Otto. 33, of 312 2nd St. EApt. 2, Hastings, has been charged with one felony count each of Arson in the Sccond Degree and Interference with a Dead Body or Scene of Death (Conceal Body), in connection with the death of 30-ycar-old Kyle David Hamilton of Hastings on or about July 9, 2021, in Hastings.

Otto is being held in the Dakota County Jail on S200,000 cash bail. His initial court appearance was Dec. 17, and he is due back in Dakota County Court Jan. 6 at 9 a.m.

A summary of the allegations contained in the criminal complaint is set forth below: On July 10, 2021, police and fire personnel were dispatched to a fire located at Jayccc Park, located along the Mississippi River in Hastings. A portable restroom was destroyed in the fire, and a partial enclosure surrounding the toilet was also damaged. After the fire was extinguished, the remains of a burned human body were located immediately next to the partial enclosure. The decedent was subsequently identified as 33year-old Kyle Hamilton. An autopsy determined that the Victim had fatal amounts of methamphetamine and fentanyl in his system.

After Hamilton’s body was removed, officers found a large piece of melted plastic with a circular ridge on the bottom side directly underneath the body. A long piece of metal was also located, which appeared to be an axle. Based on these findings, it was determined that these were the remains of a large Tennis Sanitation brand garbage can on wheels. Similar trash cans were located in the area.

The State Fire Marshall detected an accelerant in the soil underneath Hamilton’s body and determined that the origin of the fire was the body. Oaso- line was found to be in the soil samples tested by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.

Investigators made efforts to determine Hamilton’s whereabouts in the days leading up to the tire and learned he frequently stayed at a location in Hastings, commonly referred to as the “Doghouse.' Law enforcement was familiar with numerous individuals who spent time at the Doghouse, and these individuals were known to use and sell controlled substances.

Investigators spoke to a man who stated that during a FaceTime call on July 7,2021, he saw Hamilton slumped against the wall in a bedroom in the Doghouse occupied by Otto.

Investigators interviewed a woman who reported she

saw Hamilton in Otto’s bedroom on July 6,2021. Hamilton was silting on the floor, slumped over, and snoring. Hamilton subsequently stopped snoring. On July 7, 2021, a man entered Otto's bedroom and noticed that Hamilton appeared to be deceased and began to freak out. The man checked for a pulse but could not detect one. Thereafter, all three assumed that Hamilton had died. Otto allegedly put a blanket over Hamilton’s body and went to work.

The woman reported that on the evening of July 9,2021, she walked to a park along the river. She saw Otto there, and he asked her if she “wanted to see fireworks.” Otto then told her to go to the boat launch to see fireworks. Otto next rode his bike west toward the boat launch and Jaycee Park. The woman did not walk to the boat launch and instead returned to the Doghouse. Otto subsequently returned to the Doghouse and invited her into his bedroom. Upon entering Otto's bedroom on this occasion. Hamilton's body was gone. Otto told her that he brought Hamilton’s body to the boat launch using the bike path and set the garbage can on fire with Hamilton’s body inside.

Investigators interviewed Otto who stated that Hamilton came over and used drugs while in his bedroom. Otto eventually realized that Hamilton had overdosed and did not know what to do.

Additional facts pertaining to this case can be found in the criminal complaint at Criminal Complaint Search. While in custody, a mug shot can be viewed at Inmate Search.

Bail was set in the amount of S200,000 without conditions fS 150,000 with conditions) by Dakota County District Court Judge Joseph Carter. Otto's next court appearance is scheduled for January 6, 2022 at 9:00 a.m. in Hastings.

Keena commented: “On behalf of my office and the Hastings Police Department, our deepest sympathy is extended to the family and friends of Kyle Hamilton for their great loss.”

Keena thanked the Hastings Police Department for their thorough investigation into this tragic death. Kecna, along with Chief Bryan Schafcr, thanked the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, the State Fire Marshal, and the Hennepin County Medical Examiner who worked tirelessly to bring closure to this case.

Timothy Otto