Man arrested for allegedly killing his half-brother for financial gain

A Minnesota man has been accused of killing his half-brother two weeks ago, and he allegedly did it for financial gain.

Mark David Schwinghammer, 39, was booked into county jail on Sept. 13 on suspicion of murder in connection with the suspicious death of Timothy Sweet, who was found at the bottom of a cliff, in California according to The Mendocino Voice.

Sweet was Schwinghammer’s half-brother, KRCR reported.

Mendocino County Sheriff's deputies were dispatched to a residence in the 37000 block of North Highway 1 in Westport, California, for a welfare check around 11:15 p.m. Sept. 12, The Mendocino Voice reported.

Schwinghammer allegedly sent a threatening text message to a relative, and Sweet apparently wandered away from the residence, according to The Mendocino Voice.

About 40 minutes later, investigators spoke to Schwinghammer, who allegedly claimed Sweet went to the beach to collect muscles, The Mendocino Voice reported.

Deputies searched and found Sweet at the base of a rocky cliff, partially submerged in the incoming tide, according to The Mendocino Voice.

Firefighters recovered Sweet’s body by way of rope rescue and everybody was out of the water by 3:45 a.m., The Mendocino Voice reported.

Based on their initial examination of the scene and Sweet’s remains, as well as an autopsy conducted on Sept. 15, investigators allege Sweet was assaulted and his death was a suspected homicide, according to The Mendocino Voice.

Schwinghammer has been charged with murder, with special enhancements alleging he committed the crime for financial gain, and that he did it by lying in wait, The Mendocino Voice reported.

Investigators did not say how much money Schwinghammer was after.

Schwinghammer remains in custody with no bail, according to The Mendocino Voice.