The Minnesota Department of Corrections’ (DOC) Office of Special Investigations today identified the suspect and the victim in the suspected homicide that occurred last week at Minnesota Correctional Facility (MCF)-Lino Lakes.

The DOC identified the victim as Steven Paul Patchen, age 63. Patchen was serving a 19.5-year sentence after being convicted on three counts of criminal sexual conduct out of Anoka County on Feb. 8, 2018. Patchen was found unresponsive in his cell around 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023. DOC medical staff and outside emergency medical personnel attempted lifesaving efforts. He was pronounced dead about one hour later.

The DOC identified the suspect in the suspected homicide as Kyle John Kelbel, age 42. Kelbel is serving a life sentence after being convicted of first-degree murder out of Ramsey County on July 17, 2001. Kelbel was also sentenced in November 2002 to 21 months for one count of terrorist threats. That offense occurred prior to the 2001 homicide conviction. Kelbel has been transferred to MCF-Oak Park Heights, the DOC’s highest security facility.

DOC spokesperson Andy Skoogman said the circumstances surrounding the suspected homicide remain under investigation by DOC’s Office of Special Investigations and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA).

No further information is available at this time.