The Unexplained Death of Andrew Sadek
Episode 015
UPDATE - WRONGFUL DEATH LAWSUIT DISMISSED, ND SUPREME COURT REVIEWING
Andrew Sadek was found dead in June of 2014
Twenty year old Andrew Sadek mysteriously vanished six months after becoming a confidential informant for the Richland County Sheriff's Department, in North Dakota. He was last seen on surveillance cameras leaving his dorm room at 2am on May 1st, 2014. While his family approached it as a case of possible abduction and foul play, authorities treated it more as a man fleeing from legal ramifications.
A bitter debate would erupt between Andrew's family and the Sheriff's Department coming to a head when nearly two months later, on June 27th, Andrew's body was recovered from the Red River just across the state line in Minnesota. He had been killed by a small caliber gunshot wound to the head and while Andrew's family believed he was murdered, others have suggested that Andrew may have committed suicide.
Strangely, Andrew was not wearing the same clothing he was last seen in and his backpack was filled with rocks and tied to his body. Was this an attempt by a killer to weigh him down, or did Andrew not want his body to be recovered? Questions abound in this strange case, with several twists and turns. Ultimately, a law would be changed and a wrongful death lawsuit is currently being argued in court.
Was Andrew murdered in a robbery gone wrong? Did someone he informed on find out the truth and kill him for revenge? Or did Andrew become overwhelmed by the intense pressure and choose to end his life? Join host Steven Pacheco as he examines the details of this tragic story and tries to follow all of the twists and turns in the Unexplained Death of Andrew Sadek.
Listen to 015 - The Unexplained Death of Andrew Sadek
Watch Andrew Sadek’s Arrest Interview
CASE UPDATE -
Two years after Andrew’s death, his family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Richland County and Sheriff Jason Weber. The lawsuit argued that not only had law enforcement failed to train Andrew or offer protection during his work as a confidential informant, but that they had also lied about the potential charges and legal repercussions for his arrest.
Weber’s lawyer argued that the Sadek’s had been very vocal in the media and requested that the judge issue a gag order, though ultimately the judge dismissed the motion.
In April of 2018 the Sadek’s lawyer requested a postponement since neither Andrew’s school nor the investigating agencies had provided them with evidence and files they had requested. This motion was granted.
In July of 2019 the Sadek’s wrongful death suit was dismissed. Southeast District Judge Jay Schmitz explained his decision writing, in part, “One can only speculate, almost endlessly: was Andrew’s death a suicide or homicide? If it was homicide, who did it? What was the killer, or killer’s motivation? Was Andrew killed during a drug deal? If so, was it related to his role as a confidential informant?”
As of this time the North Dakota Supreme Court is reviewing the judge’s decision to dismiss the case, though no formal decision has yet been determined.
A lawyer for the defense, Corey Quinton told the media “The undisputed facts of this case are that we will never likely know what, when, where, how or why.”
For the Sadek’s they want justice for their son and an admission that the situation was handled improperly, which may have led to the death of Andrew.
Should the Supreme Court reverse the dismissal the case would be sent to district court. Police say the investigation remains open and active.
Sources:
https://www.reddit.com/r/UnresolvedMysteries/comments/3d5vvm/andrew_sadek_murder_or_suicide/
https://greenrushdaily.com/politics/andrew-sadek-murdered-pressured-become-informant/