ST. CLOUD – The former housemate of a St. Cloud man who died after ingesting a toxic chemical was indicted Thursday on one count of first-degree premeditated murder.
Stuart W. Hanmer, 35, was previously charged in Stearns County District Court with one felony count of second-degree murder in connection with the death of 33-year-old Cody Ray Ernst of St. Cloud. In Minnesota, a grand jury indictment is required for crimes carrying a life sentence.
At a hearing Thursday, Judge Ole Tvedten raised Hanmer’s bail to $5 million unconditional or $2.5 million with conditions that include not using alcohol or drugs. His next hearing is Nov. 3.
According to the criminal complaint, St. Cloud police started investigating a possible poisoning in June after Ernst had a heavy-metal screening showing a lethal dose of thallium, a chemical once used to kill rodents.
A poison control center pharmacist told investigators that thallium was likely ingested and there would be “no other way to get this level of exposure from environmental means,” the complaint states.
Medical records show Ernst first went to the emergency room in St. Cloud in May after vomiting, seizure-like symptoms and chest pain, the complaint states. He also reported numbness, burning and tingling in his extremities.
Ernst was eventually transferred to M Health Fairview University of Minnesota Medical Center, where he died June 22.
Investigators learned Ernst had been living at a home in the 400 block of 27th Avenue N. in St. Cloud since May. He lived there with two other men, including Hanmer.
Hanmer told police he and Ernst would often smoke marijuana and drink coffee together in the mornings, the complaint states.
An expert in metals and environmental toxins described thallium as odorless and tasteless in powder form, and said that, based on Ernst’s symptoms, he was likely poisoned a few days before May 16.
A search of Hanmer’s electronics revealed several internet searches including “what temperature does thallium melt,” “how much thallium sulfate is fatal to humans” and “buy elemental thallium,” the complaint states.
Investigators also found receipts for online purchases of thallium, which were sent to a post office box associated with Hanmer.
Jenny Berg/The Minnesota Star Tribune
Stuart Hanmer of St. Cloud had searched online about how to buy thallium and how much was lethal to humans, records state.