St. Paul homicide victim was 'deeply loved,' not just an addict, family says
Police found Andrew William Braun, 38, dead on a porch of his Payne-Phalen home in the 700 block of East Lawson Avenue, which was supposed to be vacant, just before 1:40 a.m. Monday, March 19.
The family of a man killed in an apparent homicide in St. Paul wants people to see him as not only a drug addict, but a longtime East Sider "with a big heart and curious spirit."
Police found Andrew William Braun, 38, dead on a porch of his Payne-Phalen home, which was supposed to be vacant, just before 1:40 a.m. Monday, March 19. They were called about an assault, and a police report showed Braun's girlfriend was the caller.
Braun's death "is not believed to have been a random act," police spokesman Howie Padilla said in a statement Tuesday. He apparently was assaulted and died as a result, Padilla said; police are not elaborating on whether any weapons might have been involved.
Investigators are working with the Ramsey County medical examiner's office to determine the final cause and manner of Braun's death, Padilla said. Officers found Braun unresponsive on the front porch of a home in the 700 block of East Lawson Avenue.
Braun's family released a statement Tuesday: "We should not ignore that Andy was not just a drug addict with legal problems, but he was a deeply loved father, son, nephew, cousin, friend, and loved one who once was a little boy from the East Side with a big heart and curious spirit."
Prosecutors charged Braun in February with first-degree drug possession after a search warrant was executed at his house Nov. 10, according to a police incident report. Officers found methamphetamine, seven firearms and cash, the report said.
Meth
was found hidden in the doorframe of an upstairs bathroom at the home, along with smaller quantities in the house, the complaint said.A total of 98 grams, or about 3.5 ounces, of meth was discovered.
Braun's cousin said he had had a drug problem for a few years.
The statement from Braun's family continued, "We should not ignore that despite his problems with addiction in recent years, and how they incrementally destroyed his life, Andy began as a hard-working, proud father, who exemplified what St. Paul's East Siders are most known for: perseverance.
"We should not ignore that Andy was murdered. His murder is unconscionable despite his addiction and legal problems.
"We should not ignore the underlying fear that consumes the entire neighborhood where Andy lived - a neighborhood held hostage by murderous thugs who are using what they did to Andy to strike fear and gain power.
"Andy was deeply loved will be sorely missed."
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