PAYNESVILLE, Minn. - A man accused of killing his Paynesville grandparents has been indicted on first-degree murder charges.
Gregory Allen Scheel, 33, now faces four counts of first-degree murder and two counts of intentional murder in the second degree. The decision was handed down by a Stearns County Grand Jury on Tuesday.
Willie and Gloria Scheel were found dead in their vehicle in rural Kandiyohi County on March 22.
Their grandson, Greg Scheel, was found walking about a half mile from where the vehicle was located and taken into custody.
An autopsy revealed that Willie, 93, died of asphyxiation from a plastic bag being placed over his head. Gloria, 80, was strangled by having an electrical cord wrapped around her neck. Both were found dead inside the vehicle under a piece of carpet. The criminal complaint states the car smelled like it had been doused in gasoline, and parts of the interior were charred and covered with soot.
A search warrant details discussions investigators had with Scheel. "Before requesting an attorney he advised this had something to do with a drug debt," the warrant reads. At the time of his arrest, according to the warrant, Greg Scheel was carrying a small cooler which contained a variety of items, including rope and matches.
Scheel is scheduled to make his first court appearance on the upgraded charges Wednesday morning. he remains in the Stearns County Jail on $3 million bond.
If convicted, Scheel may now face life in prison without parole.
