A Minnesota man has been arrested months after a woman was found dead inside a camper at a campground. Authorities say the death, which initially showed no obvious signs of trauma, was later ruled a homicide. Investigators have now charged a man who had been staying with the victim at the time of her death.
Minnesota Man Arrested in Camper Death Investigation
Stanley Munstermann, 69, has been arrested and charged in connection with the death of 66-year-old Barbara McBride-Law.
Munstermann was booked into the Wabasha County Jail on February 26. Authorities charged him with two counts of second-degree murder and one count of manslaughter.
The charges come months after McBride-Law was found dead inside a camper at a campground in Mazeppa, Minnesota, located about 70 miles southeast of Minneapolis.
Woman Found Dead at Campground
According to the Wabasha County Sheriff’s Office, McBride-Law’s body was discovered on August 30, 2025.
She was found inside a camper near Mac’s Park Place, a bar located at the campground.
At the time of the discovery, authorities said there were no obvious signs of trauma visible on her body. However, the medical examiner later determined that her death was caused by homicidal violence.
This ruling led investigators to continue examining the circumstances surrounding her death.
Suspect Was Staying With the Victim
Court documents revealed that Munstermann had been staying with McBride-Law at the campground around the time of her death.
When investigators contacted him the day after the body was discovered, Munstermann reportedly told them he was at his girlfriend’s home in Nebraska.
He described his relationship with McBride-Law as a longtime friendship dating back to their high school years, but said the relationship was not romantic.
Surveillance Video Shows Timeline
Authorities reviewed surveillance footage from the campground during the investigation.
According to police, the video showed Munstermann arriving at the campground on August 28, 2025.
The footage also captured him leaving the campground at 3:47 a.m. on August 30, just hours before McBride-Law’s body was discovered.
When questioned by investigators, Munstermann said he had been drinking heavily on the night of August 29 and claimed he did not remember entering McBride-Law’s camper.
Witnesses Report Suspicious Statements
Investigators also spoke with several witnesses who reported concerning statements allegedly made by Munstermann after McBride-Law’s death.
According to police reports:
- He allegedly told one person he thought he may have killed someone, but could not remember.
- During a phone call with another individual, he reportedly said he believed he might have badly hurt someone, though he was unsure who.
These statements became part of the evidence collected during the investigation.
Charges Filed Months After Discovery
Months after McBride-Law was laid to rest, authorities formally charged Munstermann with her death.
He now faces:
- Two counts of second-degree murder
- One count of manslaughter
Munstermann remains in custody at the Wabasha County Jail as the legal process moves forward.
Court Hearing Scheduled
According to local reports, Munstermann’s arraignment hearing was scheduled for Monday.
During the hearing, the court will review the charges against him and determine the next steps in the case.
Investigators have not released additional details as the case continues to develop.
