Sep 14, 2007 8:27 pm US/Central
Bicyclist Killed In Mpls. Identified
by John Reger
(WCCO)
Friends and family have identified a man who was apparently killed while on night time bike ride. He is 41-year old Mark Loesch, a computer specialist from Minneapolis.
He was suffering severe trauma when he was found Thursday not far from his home, in a front yard in the 3700 block of Elliot Avenue South. He was barely breathing and he died before paramedics arrived.
Police say Loesch died from "severe trauma." His bike was found nearby.
"He just loved his kids so much, and his wife," said Amy McNally, a close family friend, "We're all going to miss him so much."
Loesch was working on his bicycle before 10 p.m. Wednesday night when he e-mailed a friend saying he'd finished putting on a new tire. Afterward, Loesch watched the late news with his wife, who then went to bed. Friends think Loesch went for a quick night time ride, perhaps to show off his new tire.
Friends think Loesch was riding to friend Gene Chadwick's house when he was attacked.
"It wouldn't be unlike him to come over and surprise me," said his riding buddy, Chadwick, who lives a few minutes away.
Chadwick said Loesch wasn't carrying anything that could have been stolen because he'd left behind his wallet, cell phone, and bike helmet.
"I just can't believe that someone would attack him and leave him there like they did," said Chadwick.
The neighborhood Loesch was found has had other recent incidents of violence. Ron Edwards, co-chairman of the Police Community Relations Council, said 3 African-American teens were victims of gunshot wounds on the same day Loesch was found.
If you have any information about the death of Mark Loesch you are asked to call the Minneapolis investigators tip line at 612-692-TIPS.
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