Le Center man faces murder and arson charges

A man faces murder and arson charges after a fire on Sunday morning.

According to Le Sueur County Sheriff Brett Mason, on Sunday Jan. 24, 2021, at approximately 7:15 a.m. the Le Sueur County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a structure fire at 37722 Hunting Preserve Lane in Le Center.

Investigation into the incident revealed the deceased body of an adult male believed to be Bruce Alan Traxler, 64, who lived at the address.

Subsequent investigation led to the arrest of Hardy Robert Wills-Traxler, 25, of Le Center.

Wills-Traxler was booked into the Le Sueur County Jail on charges of Second Degree Murder and Arson. He is expected to appear in Le Sueur County District Court on Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2021.

The investigation remains active and ongoing. Assisting agencies were the Le Center Fire Department, Montgomery Fire Department, Cleveland Fire Department Minnesota State Fire Marshalls Office and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.