Brian Freeman’s Jealous Rage: A Hammer Attack in Blue Earth rattles the community
“It was February 2012, and the quiet, close-knit community of Blue Earth, Minnesota, was shocked by a brutal home invasion which left local business owner, Levi Kingwasser, dead and several others severely injured. The attacker, Brian Daniel Freeman, brutally attacked his estranged wife, her boyfriend, and her teenage daughters with a hammer.
This article reminds us of the shocking events, the investigation, and Freeman’s prison sentence. As seen on American Detective with Lt. Joe Kenda, the case still haunts many. Here, we disassemble the tragedy, the motive, the litigative aftermath, and where Brian Freeman is today.
A Peaceful Night Erupted Into Violence In Blue Earth, Minnesota
Christopher Fulmer woke up beside his girlfriend, Candice Freeman, in their residence in East Texas on February 20, 2012, when a masked intruder attacked him. The attacker bashed Christopher to death with a hammer.
He then physically attacked Candice and her two teenage daughters as they slept, inflicting lasting injuries. Candice also lost an eye, and the teenagers had skull fractures. Their youngest daughter, a 6-year-old, was uninjured.
A Blood-Curdling 911 Call Described The Terror Within
Shortly after 12:30 a.m., law enforcement officials got a terrifying 911 call, full of screams. When officers arrived at the home, they found Christopher dead and Candice seriously injured. The crime scene was gruesome. Blood smeared the house, and the victims also showed other signs of trauma.
Detectives launched an immediate hunt for the culprit. The trail led investigators to Michael Freeman, whose son, Brian Freeman, was strapped into a car seat at the time of the murder. Detectives quickly discovered that Candice was still married to a volunteer firefighter, Brian Daniel Freeman, the father of her youngest child.
He was also dating Candice, but when she decided to divorce him, she moved on with Christopher. That angered Brian. He appeared suspicious when the police questioned him. One of the masks — a type of ski mask — was found inside his car, and it was similar in style to the one the killer wore. Surveillance footage later captured him attempting to hide a blood-stained jacket.
Brian Freeman Admitted And Showed His Reason
Freeman later told police he broke into the home with a hammer and assaulted Christopher. He “blacked out” during the rage, he said. And one of them, Candice, got involved in the attack, he said, and her daughters got hurt trying to intervene. He left the hammer on the return drive home after the attack. He later called 911 himself.
The Trial Concluded With A Plea Bargain
Rather than go to trial, Freeman agreed to a plea bargain in February 2013. He entered a guilty plea to one count of second-degree intentional murder and three counts of first-degree assault. His lawyer, in the end, contemplated making a “heat of passion” argument but decided not to. By accepting the deal, Freeman sidestepped a potential life sentence.
Sentence: 49 Years, But 33 Spent Behind Bars
Brian Freeman received an aggregate sentence of 49½ years in March 2013. Minnesota law would have him serve only 33 years in prison, with the rest of his life on supervised release. He was also ordered to make restitution of more than $17,000. In court, Candice spoke of the way the crime altered her family’s life forever.
Appeal Denied—Justice Upheld
Freeman attempted to appeal his sentence and claimed it was unduly harsh, but the court firmly rejected his plea. Judges said the viciousness of the crime, the number of victims, and the preparation merited the sentence. They dismissed all possible reasons to be lenient.
Where Is Brian Freeman Now?
He is imprisoned at the Minnesota Correctional Facility — Stillwater, a maximum security prison in Bayport. He will be eligible for release under supervision in February 2045. Now 43, Freeman’s name resurfaced in 2025 when the television show American Detective with Lt. Joe Kenda debuted an episode about the case.
Media Glare: True Crime Show Explores The Horror
The case received nationwide attention in an American Detective episode, Christopher Fulmer. It was released starring actor Cameron Mahler as Freeman, and it dramatized what ultimately caused the fatal assault. The episode originally aired on Discovery ID and Max on May 6, 2025, and served as a reminder of how jealousy can spill over to become lethal.
FAQs
Who was Christopher Fulmer?
He was a 37-year-old welder who lived with his girlfriend, Candice Freeman, in Blue Earth, Minn.
What motivated Brian Freeman to carry out the assault?
He was angry and jealous that Candice had a man while he was in a divorce.
Why Candice and her daughters?
Candice lost an eye. Her teenage daughters sustained serious head injuries but survived.
What sentence did Brian Freeman receive?
He would serve 33 years in prison, followed by the remaining sentence of supervised release.
Where is Brian Freeman now?
He is currently serving at the Minnesota Correctional Facility-Stillwater.
Final Words
The tragic hammer attack that ended Christopher Fulmer’s life is a chilling reminder of the fact that jealousy and rage can result in life-changing outcomes. The scars persist for Candice Freeman and her daughters, though justice has been done. Thanks to the recent media attention, the case still serves as a warning for others about the risk of unresolved anger and domestic violence.
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