Hennepin County Medical Examiner Identifies Victims in Hopkins and Burnsville Fatalities

The Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s Office has formally identified the three people who died in incidents earlier this week in Hopkins and Burnsville, Minnesota. The victims are 41-year-old Kristen Brown, her 7-year-old daughter Evie Brown, and 78-year-old Alice Brown, who police said was a close family relative of the suspect.

Authorities say the deaths are linked to a suspected murder-suicide involving 41-year-old Nathan Brown, who is believed to have killed Kristen and Evie with a screwdriver before taking his own life on Wednesday. Police also confirmed that Alice Brown was found dead in Burnsville later that day.

A 911 call was placed after a man heard screaming while dropping his children off at the Brown family’s in-home daycare in Hopkins. Six other children were present at the time and were reported unharmed.

Investigators noted that Kristen Brown had sent a letter two weeks earlier indicating the daycare would close due to “relationship issues with Nathan,” according to court records. The medical examiner has not yet ruled on the official causes of death.

A small memorial has been set up outside the Hopkins residence, where flowers, a candle and a plush toy have been placed.