Grand Marais resident who once ran for mayor dies following violent altercation

A Grand Marais man with a checkered past who once ran for mayor was found dead Wednesday afternoon following a violent altercation at his home.

The person who died was Grand Marais resident Lawrence Scully, according to local authorities.

Cook County Sheriff Pat Eliasen confirmed with WTIP Wednesday night the 77-year-old Scully is the person who died in the altercation.

At approximately 4:45 p.m. today, Cook County Sheriff’s Office Deputies responded to 1109 East 5th Street, in Grand Marais on a report of a possible person deceased following an altercation.

Upon arrival deputies located Scully suffering from multiple areas of trauma to the head. He died from the injuries, according to the Cook County Sheriff’s Office.

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension has been called to begin an investigation into the death. The motive and circumstances surrounding the incident are under investigation.

The suspect in this incident, a 27-year-old male, reported the altercation to the Sheriff’s Office and is now being held in the Cook County Jail.

The victim and the suspect knew each other. There are no safety concerns for the public.

Scully was a notorious personality in Grand Marais. He ran for mayor in 2014, though during the campaign many called into question his past behavior as a convicted sexual predator.

Joe Friedrichs March 8, 2023