The family of a St. Paul man who was murdered by a hit-and-run motorist in Maplewood earlier this month is requesting that anybody with information about the incident get in touch with the police.
When Mark Koepke, 56, was out for a stroll on the evening of December 9 near the house he lived with his ex-wife, Darice Koepke, who appeared at a news conference on Tuesday alongside detectives, he was fatally struck by a blue minivan, according to the police.
Losing someone is painful at any time of year, but for our family, losing someone at the holidays is especially difficult. We would be really grateful if someone would step forward.
A combined reward of $2,000 from the family and Crime Stoppers is given for information that results in the driver’s capture.
Around 10 p.m., near the intersection of McKnight Road and Margaret Roadway, police discovered Mark Koepke gravely hurt laying in the street, according to Lt. Joe Steiner of the Maplewood Police department, who also attended the press conference. At the site, Koepke’s death was confirmed.
According to Steiner, detectives think the van that hit Koepke was a dark blue Dodge Caravan built between 2011 and 2020 based on car components found at the site. The collision damaged the front end of the van’s right side.
According to Steiner, the van’s driver apparently continued traveling after striking Koepke.
Despite having a harsh demeanor, Darice Koepke called her ex-husband “an amazing teddy bear” who took care of his sick mother until she passed away last year.
Additionally, she addressed the motorist who ran into Mark Koepke.
She called on others to step forward. Make your conscience clear. Give Mark’s case some resolution and justice.
Anyone with information on the crime is requested to contact Joe Steiner at 651-249-2608 or by email at Joe.Steiner@maplewoodmn.gov, according to the police.
