Fargo Police Identify Two Men Found Dead in Apartment
Authorities confirmed the identities of the deceased after conducting a welfare check at a residence in late September.
Updated on Oct. 19, 2026 in Violence
Fargo police identified 79-year-old Thomas William Mausbach and 40-year-old Huanan Tao as the two men found dead in an apartment on September 22. The victims were discovered after a family member requested a welfare check at the residence located in the 3100 block of 44th Street South.
Why it matters
Investigators withheld the names of the deceased while working to locate the next of kin for Tao. Authorities are currently waiting for official autopsy and toxicology reports to determine the cause of death.
The bodies were discovered on September 22 at 2:40 p.m. inside an apartment in the 3100 block of 44th Street South. Officials are awaiting forensic laboratory results to establish the cause of death.
The players
Thomas William Mausbach
The 79-year-old man was one of two individuals identified by local authorities following a welfare check at his apartment.
Huanan Tao
The 40-year-old man was identified by investigators after a delay in releasing names while his next of kin were located.
Fargo Police Department
This law enforcement agency is responsible for investigating the circumstances surrounding the discovery of the two men.
Fargo Fire Department
The department provided necessary support to police officers to facilitate entry into the apartment where the bodies were found.
The details
Officers gained entry to the apartment with the assistance of the Fargo Fire Department after receiving a call from a concerned family member. Family had reportedly lost contact with one of the residents in late August.
Timeline
Late August: Family members lost contact with their relative.
September 22: Police discovered the two men dead at 2:40 p.m.
Legal Context
The investigation into this incident follows protocols established by the North Dakota state statutes governing death investigations. The current process follows the standard procedural pattern set by state law for sudden or unexplained fatalities.
There is currently no indication of a wider threat to the public following the discovery of the two men in the 3100 block of 44th Street South. Local residents can expect standard police activity as investigators finalize their reports.
The takeaway
While investigators work to determine the cause of death, authorities remind the public that welfare checks remain a critical resource for families concerned about a loved one. Keeping an updated list of local emergency contacts can help facilitate rapid responses from local agencies.
Further reading
For more information on incidents in the city, visit Fargo Violence.
