Nathan Brown and Family Tragedy, HOPKINS, Minn. — A devastating act of violence at Brown Bear Childcare in Hopkins, Minnesota, left 41-year-old Kristen Brown and her 7-year-old daughter dead Wednesday morning, August 12, in what authorities are investigating as an apparent murder-suicide involving Kristen’s husband, 41-year-old Nathan Brown.
The incident occurred shortly after 9 a.m. at the licensed in-home daycare on Tyler Avenue North, about 10 miles west of Minneapolis. Hopkins police said officers were called to the residence after a parent arriving to drop off a child reportedly witnessed at least part of the violence and contacted authorities.
According to Hopkins Police Chief Brent Johnson, investigators believe Nathan Brown stabbed his wife and daughter before fatally shooting himself. When officers entered the residence, they found Nathan, Kristen and their daughter deceased. Police have described the deaths as connected to a domestic violence incident.
The violence occurred while six other children were inside the daycare. Authorities said none of those children were physically injured. The children were removed from the residence and later reunited with their families. Police have not indicated that the other children were specifically targeted.
Authorities have not released a possible motive, and investigators continue working to establish a complete timeline of what happened inside the daycare. Initial reports described the Browns’ daughter as younger than 5, but subsequent information identified her as 7 years old.
Investigators are also examining a potentially related death reported later Wednesday in Burnsville, about 20 miles from Hopkins. Burnsville police discovered a 78-year-old woman dead from an apparent stabbing inside a residence. Authorities said the woman was related to Nathan Brown, who reportedly had also been living at the Burnsville home.
If investigators confirm that the Burnsville death is connected to the Hopkins incident, the violence could have resulted in four deaths. However, authorities have not publicly established the exact relationship between Brown and the woman or released a complete timeline linking the two incidents.
The investigation remains active as detectives review evidence and work to determine the circumstances surrounding the deaths. No motive has been publicly released. The deaths of Kristen Brown and her young daughter have left a devastating impact, while the surviving families and community await further information from authorities. Their lives and memory will remain at the center of those mourning this tragic loss.
