MacKenzie Elmer

The Des Moines Register

DES MOINES — A Des Moines father died after a single punch to the face during a bizarre encounter with a stranger Monday afternoon.

Ryan Thompson, 32, was talking with his fiancée outside their home around 3 p.m. when a man driving a dark-colored Sedan stopped and approached them, according to police records.

"You owe me money," he said, and punched Thompson once on the side of the face, the report states. He then walked back to his car and drove away.

Thompson was dazed, but he made his way inside the home to wait for medics. Officers reported that he was speaking unintelligibly and slurring his words. The fiancée told police that Thompson was not intoxicated.

He died a day later at Iowa Methodist Medical Center.

Des Moines man dead after alleged assault

A 10-year-old witness described the suspect to police as a white man in his 40s, with long, slicked-back black hair and a clean-shaven face.

The fiancée told police she did not know the man and said the assault was unprovoked.

Detectives have identified a suspect, but no charges were filed as of Wednesday afternoon.

Polk County Medical Examiner Gregory Schmunk said Wednesday that an autopsy was conducted, but he will not determine a cause of death until all test results are available. That could take eight to 10 weeks, he said.

Thompson's ex-wife, Ashley Waddell, 32, described him as an amazing father.

Punches have a long-lasting impact

"He was in love with his children," she said. "They hold him on a pedestal that no one can touch."

Waddell and Thompson began dating while students at Southeast Polk High School. They had two children together: a son, Gaven, was born in 2002, and daughter Bridgit arrived three years later. They divorced in August 2015.

"He was the life of every party. He was so funny and had a huge heart. He truly made every one light up the moment he stepped in the room," Waddell said.

Follow MacKenzie Elmer on Twitter: @mckelmer