3 Kids, Woman Found In MN Lake Died Of Apparent Murder-Suicide: Police

VADNAIS HEIGHTS, MN — After recovering the bodies of three children and a woman believed to be their mother in a Minnesota lake this weekend, authorities are now investigating their deaths as an apparent murder-suicide, the Ramsey County Sheriff's office announced Saturday.

Meanwhile, the body of the children's father was found by police late Friday morning in Maplewood, dead from an apparent suicide.

Authorities have not released the names of the deceased. According to investigators, the children — two boys and one girl — were all under the age of 5 or 6.

The chain of events started Friday when investigators found the man's body at a mobile home park. Investigators determined the woman had left with the children.

RELATED: 4 Bodies Found In Minnesota Lake In Possible Triple Homicide

The woman's car was found near Vadnais Lake on Friday afternoon, according to authorities. The mother's cell phone data brought investigators to the lake. The shoes of the children were also found near the shore, The Associated Press reported.

One child was found at 7:30 p.m. Friday and another overnight. The mother was found around 10:40 a.m., and the last child was found shortly after, Ramsey County Sheriff's Office Undersheriff Mike Martin said at a news conference Saturday afternoon.

Authorities did not specify any links between the deaths at the lake and the father's death.

According to authorities, the bodies of the woman and the three children were taken to the Ramsey County Medical Examiner, who will determine their causes of death. The medical examiner is expected to release the names, manner, and cause of death at a later date, authorities said.

If you or someone you know is considering harming themselves, help is available. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline can be reached at 800-273-8255. Immediate help is also available in an emergency by dialing 911.