Son charged in death of ex-Viking Bennett

LONG PRAIRIE, Minn. -- The son of former NFL lineman Barry Bennett is accused of shooting him and his wife multiple times, killing them, then driving out of state and boarding a flight to Mexico, according to criminal charges filed Friday.

Authorities issued an arrest warrant and were searching for Dylan Bennett, 22, who is charged with two counts of second-degree murder, without premeditation, in connection with the deaths of his parents, Barry and Carol Bennett.

Their bodies were found Wednesday in their home near Long Prairie, a small town about two hours northwest of Minneapolis.

Barry Bennett played 11 seasons in the NFL, from 1978 to 1988, with the New Orleans Saints, New York Jets and Minnesota Vikings.

The Vikings issued a statement Friday: "We are saddened by the tragic loss of former Vikings player Barry Bennett and his wife, Carol. Our thoughts are with their friends and family during this difficult time."

The Star Tribune reported Bennett had retired from teaching physical education in Long Prairie, a town of about 3,500 people. Superintendent Jon Kringen said Bennett rarely talked about his NFL career unless someone asked.

Authorities believe the Bennetts were killed Monday. Carol Bennett, who would have been 64 on Thursday, was shot multiple times in the back and torso, a criminal complaint said. Barry Bennett, 63, was shot multiple times in the torso and head.

Dylan Bennett's car was found at the home with an empty box for a 9 mm handgun and a box for ammunition inside. Carol Bennett's car was missing.

According to the criminal complaint, Barry Bennett told the Todd County Sheriff's Office in December that Dylan had expressed thoughts about killing his parents while he was in a mental health treatment facility.

The complaint outlines how authorities tracked Dylan Bennett's movements in recent days.

Barry Bennett was seen Monday in Long Prairie at about noon; earlier Monday, Dylan Bennett was seen driving his car during a bank transaction in which a large sum of cash was withdrawn from the Bennetts' account, the complaint said.

Carol Bennett's credit and debit cards were used in Wisconsin, Illinois and Ohio on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Her car was found in Columbus, Ohio; Dylan Bennett had a plane ticket for a flight from Columbus to Cancun, Mexico.

Authorities believe Dylan Bennett was in Mexico on Thursday, based on phone usage.