“My heart still can’t accept this truth,” Alex Pretti’s ex-wife says as she speaks out for the first time, sharing the autopsy results with quiet devastation. While the public assumed a clear, violent explanation, she gently reveals that unseen medical complications—not what many believed—were responsible. The restrained disclosure adds unexpected depth and tension to the story, reframing grief and responsibility. The revelation sends shockwaves through the community, forcing a painful reexamination of what really happened.
“My heart still can’t accept this reality,” Alex Pretti’s former wife said as she spoke publicly for the first time, sharing information from the autopsy with quiet sorrow. While many people initially assumed a single, clear explanation for his death, she suggested that underlying medical factors may have played a role alongside the events that unfolded. Her careful words added a new layer of complexity to the story, prompting renewed reflection within the community.
The family of Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care nurse, also released a statement hours after his death in Minneapolis. They expressed deep grief as well as anger, pushing back against official narratives they believe do not reflect who their son was.
In their statement, Michael and Susan Pretti described Alex as a compassionate person who cared deeply for his family, friends, and the veterans he served at the Minneapolis VA hospital. They said he was driven by a desire to make a positive difference and asked that he be remembered for his character rather than speculation surrounding his final moments.
Witness video from the scene has circulated widely online and continues to be reviewed and discussed. The footage shows a tense and chaotic situation involving federal officers and members of the public. Due to the confusion and emotional intensity of the moment, interpretations of what occurred have varied, and investigations are ongoing.
Alex’s parents said they learned of the incident through media inquiries before receiving direct confirmation from authorities. They later contacted the Hennepin County Medical Examiner, who confirmed that their son had died. The family said they struggled to obtain clear information during the early hours following his death.![]()
Friends, colleagues, and neighbors have since come forward to share memories of Alex’s life. He grew up in Green Bay, Wisconsin, where he was active in sports, music, and community activities. After earning a degree from the University of Minnesota, he worked as a research scientist before returning to school to become a registered nurse, eventually choosing the demanding field of intensive care.
At the VA hospital, Alex was known as a dedicated professional and a supportive mentor. Colleagues described him as calm under pressure, generous with his time, and deeply committed to patient care. Outside of work, he enjoyed cycling, music, and caring for his dog, which friends say was a central part of his life.
Alex’s former wife, who requested anonymity, said that while they had not been in contact for some time, she remembered him as someone who cared strongly about social issues and civic engagement. She emphasized that, in her experience, he was outspoken but not physically aggressive, and that he valued discussion and principle over confrontation.:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(749x0:751x2)/Alex-Pretti-012526-2-750d486a97134c3fa48e5882709769d8.jpg)
Neighbors echoed these sentiments, describing Alex as friendly, thoughtful, and community-minded. While some were aware that he owned firearms legally, they said this was not a defining part of his identity and did not align with how they knew him day to day.
In their final reflections, Alex’s parents shared a small but telling memory from their last conversation with him, just days before his death. They spoke about ordinary home repairs and mentioned his kindness toward a worker he had recently hired. For them, that moment captured who Alex truly was: someone who lived with generosity, empathy, and quiet integrity.
