Karlstad Community Stunned After 911 Call Ends With Local Man’s Mysterious Death
KARLSTAD, MINNESOTA — The tiny northern town of Karlstad, home to just over 700 residents, is reeling after the shocking and tragic death of Kevin Jon Sele, a 57-year-old man known affectionately to nearly everyone as “Beef.”
The events began in the early morning hours of Saturday, when dispatchers at the Kittson County Sheriff’s Office received a frantic 911 call from Kevin’s residence along State Highway 11, just outside the Karlstad city limits. The call came in shortly after 1 a.m., and what unfolded over the next few moments left even veteran law enforcement shaken.
According to officials, Kevin reported that an unknown intruder had entered his home, physically assaulted him, and taken his firearm. Dispatchers tried to keep him on the line, asking for details and urging him to stay safe. But before the call could conclude, they heard the unmistakable sounds of a struggle, followed by a single gunshot. The line then went silent.
Deputies rushed immediately to Kevin’s home, arriving within minutes. What they found inside was chilling. Kevin was discovered unresponsive, with a weapon lying near his body. Despite emergency efforts, it was clear he had already passed. Authorities quickly secured the area, began collecting evidence, and requested backup assistance from state-level investigators.
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) and forensic teams were called in to help piece together what happened in those crucial seconds after the 911 call went quiet. The University of North Dakota Forensic Pathology Unit has since taken custody of Kevin’s body for a full autopsy. As of now, investigators have not released an official cause or manner of death, emphasizing that the details are too complex to speculate on.
Authorities have described the case as “active and sensitive,” urging patience as they reconstruct the timeline. Among the key questions: Who was the intruder? Was there a struggle for the gun? And how did Kevin’s own firearm end up beside him when deputies arrived?
For those who knew Kevin, the questions only deepen the heartbreak. He wasn’t just a resident — he was a friend to nearly everyone in town. Known for his large frame, his football background, and his easygoing personality, Kevin’s presence was a familiar and comforting part of Karlstad’s rhythm. People called him “Beef” not only for his size, but also for his good-natured humor and warm heart.
“He’d always stop to talk, no matter who you were,” said a longtime neighbor. “He’d wave when he drove by, check in if he hadn’t seen you in a while. That’s just the kind of man he was.”
His sudden loss has rattled the community’s long-held sense of safety. One resident admitted she had never locked her doors in 50 years — not until the night Kevin died. In a town where crime is rare and neighbors still trust each other implicitly, the idea that violence could reach into one of their homes feels impossible to accept.
Chief Deputy Dave Thompson of the Kittson County Sheriff’s Office offered reassurance during a press briefing, stating that investigators have no evidence suggesting an ongoing threat to the public. Still, he acknowledged the emotional weight of the situation. “What happened in that house is deeply tragic,” he said. “We know people want answers, and we’re working as fast as possible to get them — but we also want to get them right.”
For now, Karlstad grieves the loss of a man whose kindness and dependability defined him. Friends are organizing a small vigil at the local park, where candles and football memorabilia already line the picnic tables in his honor.
As investigators continue to search for the truth behind the haunting 911 call — the panic, the struggle, the gunshot — one thing remains certain: Kevin Jon “Beef” Sele will be remembered not for how he died, but for how he lived — with strength, humor, and an open heart that touched nearly everyone in Karlstad.
