$25,000 reward offered in 2017 murder of Hibbing, Minn. business owner

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Brian Nelson, 60, was found dead inside his home behind The Bottle Shop liquor store in Hibbing, Minnesota last July.

HIBBING, Minn. (KMSP) - Authorities are offering a reward of up to $25,000 for information that could help solve the murder of a Hibbing, Minnesota business owner that occurred last summer.

On July 10, 2017, Brian Nelson, 60, was found stabbed to death in his home behind The Bottle Shop liquor store, which he owned and operated. Investigators believe he was killed sometime between 10:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 8, 2017 and Monday, July 10.

On Saturday, July 8, Nelson closed the liquor store and took the day's proceeds home, something he was known to do on Saturdays. He was last seen alive at 10:30 p.m.

When Nelson failed to show up for work on Monday, July 10, a store employee went to check on him. His house was locked, but the employee found a way to enter the home and found Nelson dead inside.

The murder occurred on the final day of the 2017 Hibbing Jubilee Community Festival. Investigators consider robbery a potential motive.

Spotlight on Crime, a reward fund that helps law enforcement agencies across the state solve violent crimes, is offering a reward of up to $25,000 in hopes that someone will come forward with information.

Anyone with information related to the case is asked to contact the Hibbing Police Department at 218-263-3601 or pdesk@ci.hibbing.mn.us. Information can be provided anonymously.