CHARGES: DNA Links Duluth Man to Stabbing, Arson Death

Apr 27

A Duluth man has been charged with murder after a stabbed and burned body was found inside a rental unit last summer.

Prosecutors say 25-year-old Tyler Walter Edwards caused the death of Maxton Keith Gudowski sometime between July 24 and July 25, 2024, then set the victim’s body on fire using accelerants including Pine-Sol and alcohol.

The charges include second-degree intentional murder, first-degree arson and giving a false name to law enforcement.

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Around 2:28 a.m. on July 25, Duluth police and fire crews responded to a fire at 601 N. 47th Ave. E. in Duluth. The address contains a large home subdivided into multiple rental units. Firefighters initially cleared police from the scene, but about 15 minutes later requested their return after finding a body inside one of the apartment units. Officers observed the victim, later identified as Gudowski, lying on his back in the living room with blood pooling around his head.

According to the fire investigation report, Pine-Sol had been poured over Gudowski’s head and neck, while an accelerant-soaked electric blanket had been placed over much of his body and set ablaze. The fire burned intensely but was limited to the unit due to closed doors and windows.

The Midwest Medical Examiner determined Gudowski died of over 30 stab wounds to the neck, including injuries to major vessels and the larynx. He also suffered defense wounds to his hands. No signs of smoke inhalation were found, indicating he was already dead when the fire began.

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Liquor bottles—specifically 20 empty 50ml containers of “99 Fruit Punch”—were scattered around the body. Surveillance footage later confirmed that Edwards had purchased the same liquor the night before and was seen walking toward the apartment.

A key piece of evidence came from a July 22 transaction at a Centricity Credit Union branch, where Edwards accompanied Gudowski to cash a $50 check. Bank employees reported Edwards appeared impatient and agitated, and surveillance video captured him wearing distinctive white-framed sunglasses. Those same sunglasses were found under the victim’s body.

Footage also showed Edwards walking alone near the scene early on July 25 and later that morning entering Lake Superior fully clothed, spending roughly 30 minutes in the water. He was found later that afternoon near a public restroom along the Lakewalk and initially gave officers a false name. After police challenged the alias, he provided his real identity and was arrested on the outstanding warrant from an unrelated first-degree criminal sexual conduct case in Hennepin County.

At the time of his arrest, Edwards was wearing the same shorts seen in earlier footage, though a dark stain on the fabric appeared faded. Arson investigators used a K9 to detect accelerant on several of Edwards’ clothing items.

A Pine-Sol bottle recovered from the victim’s toilet contained Edwards’ fingerprints. DNA testing further linked him to the crime, showing his DNA on the victim’s hand and fingernails, and the victim’s DNA on a stain and pocket area of Edwards’ shorts. DNA from Edwards was also found on several of the empty liquor bottles at the scene.

When questioned, Edwards said he had been with a woman the night of the killing but did not provide her name or any way to contact her. He refused to speak further with police.

Edwards remains in custody at the St. Louis County Jail where he is being held on $1 million bail. If convicted of second-degree murder, he faces up to 40 years in prison.

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