Moorhead Fire and Police Departments responded to a camper fire on the morning of Thursday, February 8, 2024. Inside the camper, firefighters located a deceased adult male victim. The victim was transported to the Ramsey County Medical Examiner's Office. The victim has positively identified as Richard Branson, age 68. The provisional autopsy report states the cause of death as soot and smoke inhalation. The fire was ruled accidental and caused by a portable propane heat source being too close to combustibles inside the camper.
The final autopsy report, including toxicology, is still pending.
Captain Deric Swenson, 218.299.5186
