Adoptee Charged in Killing of His NFL Dad and Mom

“The 22-year-old adopted son of former NFL football player Barry Bennett and his wife has been charged with shooting dead his parents in their rural Minnesota home.

Police are continuing to search for Dylan John Bennett, who is believed to be have fled to Mexico.

A criminal complaint was signed Friday against Bennett, charging him with the shooting deaths of Barry, 63, and Carol, 66, inside their Long Prairie home.

Both were discovered two days earlier by authorities who came to the home after a friend had gone there to do a welfare check, according to the Todd County sheriff’s office.

The couple had not responded to phone calls or text messages for about a day.

Barry Bennett played 11 seasons in the NFL, spending six with the Jets from 1982 to 1987, four with the New Orleans Saints from 1978 through 1981 and and his final year with the Minnesota Vikings in 1988.

Authorities say the Bennetts were found shot and alleged that the couple’s adopted son had expressed thoughts of killing them in December, while lodged at a mental health facility.

The complaint says his car, a blue 2018 Hyundai Sante Fe with a Minnesota license plate of BCK-487, was left at the scene with an empty box for a 9 mm handgun inside, along with ammunition. Earlier reports had placed the car out-of-state.

Authorities say they traced transactions after the Bennetts’ death, suggesting their adopted son had flown to Mexico. A warrant has been issued for his arrest.

Jim Christopherson, a friend of the couple, told the Pioneer Press the couple raised four children and adopted two, including Dylan, who had just graduated from Bemidji State University and had found a job in China.

Christopherson said he hunted deer with Barry Bennett in recent years.

‘They were quality people,’ he said about the Bennetts.

Barry Bennett’s former team The Vikings tweeted: ‘We are saddened by the tragic loss of former Vikings player Barry Bennett and his wife, Carol. Our thoughts are with their friends and family during this difficult time.’

The Star Tribune reported Bennett had retired from teaching physical education in Long Prairie, a town of about 3,500 people about two hours northwest of Minneapolis.

Superintendent Jon Kringen said Bennett rarely talked about his NFL career unless someone asked.”
Adopted son, 22, of ex-NFL lineman Barry Bennett is charged with shooting dead his parents as cops say they believe he has fled to Mexico
[Daily Mail 8/23/19 by AP and Ralph Ortega]

“Dylan John Bennett, who allegedly murdered his parents on Aug. 21, is now back in Minnesota after being extradited from Mexico.

New video shows the moments after Dylan Bennett was caught in Cancun. The Todd County Sheriff says the 22-year-old was taken into custody at a hotel Saturday afternoon.

Bennett has been charged with killing his parents in Long Prairie. Barry and Carol Bennett, Dylan’s parents, died of gunshot wounds in their Long Prairie Home on Aug. 21.

Since then, investigators learned Dylan Bennett bought an airline ticket from Ohio to Cancun earlier this week, the sheriff’s office said. Dylan’s cell phone, credit card and ATM activity were being tracked in Cancun.

Bennett contacted sheriffs just before his arrest, saying he intended to turn himself into the FBI. He was found at a hotel in Cancun, Mexico, just before noon Saturday.

Bennett is now being held at the Todd County Jail. His first court appearance is slated for Tuesday.”

Dylan Bennett Now Back In Minnesota After Extradition From Mexico
[CBS Minnesota 8/26/19]

“According to court records, the judge set Dylan Bennett’s bail at $3 million with conditions and $5 million without.

He is due back in court on Sept. 9. ”
Man charged in connection to murder of his parents in Todd County makes first court appearance
[KSTP 8/27/19]

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