Timothy Daniel Loftus, a 43-year-old man from Rochester, has pleaded guilty to third-degree murder and concealing a body, following the death of a woman he sold controlled substances to in May 2022. The guilty plea was entered on April 15, 2025.
Loftus was charged after the death of a woman, identified as Arleth, who passed away from a fentanyl overdose. According to the criminal complaint, Arleth’s body was found in a severely decomposed state, which made it difficult for investigators to determine the exact cause of death. However, the toxicology report revealed fentanyl in her system.
Arleth’s mother last saw her daughter on May 29, 2022, when she was dropped off at Loftus’ home. After Arleth’s disappearance, Loftus was not seen for several days. Witnesses later reported seeing a dolly cart belonging to Loftus near the location where Arleth’s body was found.
Further investigation revealed duct tape and rope in Loftus’ garage, which matched the materials found on Arleth’s body. Additionally, a witness came forward, stating that Loftus confessed to providing heroin and fentanyl to Arleth, which led to her death. Loftus also allegedly told the witness that he hid Arleth’s body in a trailer near his residence.
On June 9, 2022, video footage from a doorbell camera showed Loftus towing a trailer with a blue tarp, later found to be covering Arleth’s body. Cellphone data confirmed that Loftus was at the location where the body was found shortly after the trailer was removed.
Loftus now faces the consequences of his actions following his guilty plea. The case highlights the dangerous consequences of fentanyl distribution and the lengths some individuals will go to conceal their crimes. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension assisted in processing the crime scene and collecting evidence.
