Kasson Teen Charged in Graddy Death

A Kasson teenager was arraigned yesterday on a manslaughter charge in connection with the death of a 15 year old from Byron who vanished in January and was found dead two months later. Bail for 19 year old Darrian Rice was set at $30,000.

According to the criminal complaint, the parents of Noah Graddy reported him missing January 23rd. A few days earlier, they reported $600 in cash was missing from their home and they suspected their son had taken the money. That was also the last time they saw him alive.

Graddy’s body was found March 20th near railroad tracks between Byron and Kasson - a route he often took when walking to a friend’s home. His cause of death was listed as hypothermia and acute intoxication from the combined effects of drugs, including methamphetamine.

The complaint says investigators learned Graddy and two friends bought some methamphetamine in Rochester on January 21st and the group then went to Rice’s home where they took the drug. Rice is accused of later ordering Graddy to leave and he did, setting out on foot. Temperatures at the time were as low as 20 below zero.  The complaint says this was the last time Graddy was seen alive.

Rice has been ordered back to court for another hearing on August 20.