Police recover body while investigating case of missing man as homicide

The Bloomington Police Department said evidence led to a sprawling field along Weir Drive between Costco and an apartment complex at around 3 p.m. The area quickly turned into a crime scene after a body was discovered.

During a press briefing, Deputy Police Chief Mike Hartley stopped short of identifying the person, but said William Albrecht's family had been notified of a recovery. The medical examiner will do an autopsy to make a positive ID and determine cause of death.

Bloomington Police first said on Wednesday that the disappearance of William Charles Albrecht was considered a homicide case. Albrecht was last seen at a Bloomington home on E. 87th Street in the early morning hours of Nov. 15.

Photo provided by family

From left, Isabelle Carrie Braveheart, Skylar Edmond Labarge and Preston Scott Sharlow

Bloomington Police Department

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The Bloomington Police Department assisted Minneapolis police on a search warrant executed Tuesday at that residence, where an acquaintance, 31-year-old Isabelle Carrie Braveheart lived.

"We discovered evidence which led us to believe some sort of trauma was inflicted on somebody," Deputy Chief Hartley said Thursday.

Minneapolis police investigating report of missing 29-year-old man

Clues recovered from the home on E. 87th Street steered officers to another Bloomington home on Elliott Avenue where two other persons of interest lived: 32-year-old Preston Scott Sharlow and 26-year-old Skylar Edmond Labarge. Investigators said all three suspects: Braveheart, Sharlow and LaBarge were together with Albrecht before he disappeared. Authorities suspected something awful had happened, but they needed to find Albrecht, confirm his death was a homicide and give his family answers.

Thursday's recovery of a body was a start.

"We've recovered a lot of evidence and digital evidence takes a long time to go through, we're not in a position to say who did what at this time," said Hartley.

Labarge and Sharlow were arrested Wednesday and Braveheart was arrested Tuesday, according to police. All three are being held on probable cause homicide in jail.

A motive hasn't been released. 

Body of man missing police say has been found outdoors in Woodbury @KSTP Crime scene is active at this point.

— Eric Chaloux (@EChalouxKSTP) November 21, 2019

All of it has been a shock to neighbors.

"It's a quiet neighborhood, nobody can believe what has happened, " said Teresa Heusbourg, who lives next to the home searched by police.

As for the suspects, Heusbourg said, "They seemed like perfect neighbors."

Anyone with information is asked to contact Bloomington Police at 952-563-4900.

Albrecht's family issued the following statement to KSTP on Thursday:

"Our family is so grateful for the attention Will's disappearance has gotten. We are holding strong while still waiting for answers. Will is the funniest person I've ever met. He has the biggest heart. His children, parents, friends and I are so lucky to know such an amazing man and have someone like that in our corner."