NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
April 21, 2026
MEDIA CONTACT: Wade Backstrom
218-726-2323 or backstromw@stlouiscountymn.gov
Tyler Walter Edwards Pleads Guilty
Court file #69DU-CR-25-1276
Today, before the Honorable Jill A. Eichenwald, Tyler Walter Edwards, 26, pleaded guilty to Second-Degree Unintentional Murder, announced St. Louis County Attorney Kim Maki. Mr. Edwards was charged with murdering Maxton Keith Gudowski, who was just 25 years old at the time of his death, in late July of 2024. During the plea hearing, Mr. Edwards admitted that he and the victim got into a heated argument, and he stabbed the victim multiple times with a knife causing his death inside a residence located on N. 47th Avenue East in Duluth.
“Mr. Edwards’ plea cannot undo the profound loss of Mr. Gudowski’s life for his family or our community,” County Attorney Maki said. “While today’s outcome brings a measure of justice and certainty, our thoughts remain with the victim’s family and loved ones, who continue to carry the weight of this tragedy.”
The St. Louis County Attorney’s Office credits the successful prosecution of this case to the investigation by the Duluth Police Department, the Duluth Fire Department, and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.
Sentencing is scheduled for June 15, 2026, at 11:00 A.M. Pending sentencing, Mr. Edwards was remanded to the Commissioner of Corrections to begin serving his presumed prison sentence.
The case was prosecuted by Duluth Criminal Division Head Nathaniel Stumme.
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