What to Know
A parent dropping off their child at a Minnesota in-home daycare reportedly walked in on a horrific tragedy unfolding in real time. The adult reportedly called 911 from Brown Bear Childcare at 236 Tyler Avenue North in Hopkins around 9 a.m. on August 12, 2026. Police believe a man killed his wife and daughter before taking his own life in an apparent murder-suicide.
If that weren’t tragic enough, six children reportedly witnessed the deaths. Several hours later, police found an elderly member of the same family dead inside her home in the nearby town of Burnsville. The killings rocked the tight-knit community, leaving many wondering how something so horrible could happen in their small town.
Police arrived on the scene very quickly.
Hopkins Police Chief Brent Johnson addressed the media in a news conference hours after the killings. He explained that officers responded to Brown Bear Childcare following a report of a stabbing. When they arrived, they found a woman identified online as 41-year-old Kristen Brown and her 7-year-old daughter deceased with stab wounds, and 41-year-old Nathan Brown dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. Johnson said that no other children in the home were harmed, and officers worked to evacuate them and reunite them with their families swiftly.
“The impact is felt not only here, but elsewhere, for every parent who has a child in a daycare setting or anywhere where they don’t have, you know, immediate control over their child,” Johnson said. “It’s heartbreaking.”
Investigators also found the body of Nathan Brown’s 78-year-old relative in the nearby town of Burnsville around 12:30 p.m. Police believe the killings are related, but did not release further details.
A friend claimed Kristen Brown wanted to leave her husband.
An unidentified friend told Fox 9 that her child attended Brown Bear Childcare for six years and the mother developed a friendship with Kristen Brown. The woman claimed Kristen Brown texted her minutes before the tragedy occurred and said that things were “crazy” that morning. She also reportedly shared her plans to close Brown Bear Childcare effective August 27 because Nathan Brown owned the home and Kristen Brown planned to leave him.
Emergency responders reportedly struggled at the scene.
During the news conference, Johnson said this type of crime is rare in Hopkins and police officers had a hard time processing what they’d just seen.
“This is an extremely tragic event for our community. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families affected by this devastating incident,” police added in a news release posted on social media.
Community members shared kind words with all those involved.
“My heart goes out to those precious children & their families and our brave police department and first responders,” a follower wrote.
“Truly heartbreaking! Praying for the families, first responders, friends and anyone that helped out during this tragedy,” another person added.
Many posted condolences on Brown Bear Childcare’s Facebook Page
“I find it very intriguing how working with the whole child or adult makes the greatest difference in learning, memory, and quality of life,” Kristen Brown wrote. “In October 2018, I had my own child. As much as I loved my previous positions, I believe that it is time to return to child care so that I can be home with her.”
People shared kindness with the Brown Bear Childcare community in a post where Kristen Brown described herself.
“Didn’t take long to look at the posts and know she was a great daycare provider and mother may she rest in peace you and your daughter. As an early educator myself,those babies where blessed to have you as their caregiver,” one person wrote.
“Your words show you were creating a community of love around the kids you served. My heart breaks yet I don’t know any of you. Prayers for you all in grief through this,” another person added.
The deaths remain under investigation.
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