Moments After Grandpa’s Ruthless Killing Spree

The case centers on Scott Francis Engelbrecht, a man from St. James, Minnesota, and his wife, Joyce Ann Engelbrecht. Joyce was 67 years old. The case also involved Joyce’s daughter, Rachel Elaine Linder, who was 43 years old, and Rachel’s son, who survived the incident and helped call for emergency help. Authorities described the case as a family tragedy that began inside the Engelbrecht home and quickly turned into a double homicide. The incident happened on June 16, 2018, at the family’s home on First Avenue South in St. James. According to court and news reports, Scott and Joyce had been arguing that evening. The argument was reportedly connected to their wedding anniversary and Joyce’s frustration that Scott had forgotten it, not just that year but in prior years as well. What began as a domestic argument became violent, and Joyce was seriously injured inside the home. Rachel Linder, Joyce’s adult daughter, was also at or near the home during the incident. Reports said Rachel realized something had happened to her mother and tried to get away. Her son, Dillion Mathias, was in the basement at the time. After hearing the disturbance, he went upstairs, saw the danger, and then retreated to a safer area, where he locked himself in a bathroom and called 911. His call was an important part of the emergency response. When police arrived, they found Scott Engelbrecht outside or near the residence with a rifle. Reports said officers ordered him to put it down, and he was taken into custody without further confrontation. Joyce was still alive when emergency workers reached her, and she was taken for medical treatment. She later died from her injuries. Rachel was found nearby and also died from injuries sustained during the incident. Prosecutors argued that Scott was responsible for both Joyce’s death and Rachel’s death. They also said he had threatened or endangered Rachel’s son during the incident. The charges eventually included two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of second-degree murder, and second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon. The assault charge was connected to Dillion Mathias, who survived and testified about what he experienced. During the case, Scott Engelbrecht gave a different version of events. At trial, he claimed that Rachel had harmed Joyce and that Rachel’s own death happened accidentally while he was pursuing her. The defense also suggested a different theory involving inheritance. Prosecutors rejected those claims and argued that the evidence showed Scott was the person responsible. The jury ultimately did not accept Scott’s explanation.