The bodies of three young children and their tattoo-artist mom were pulled out of a Minnesota lake Saturday in a family tragedy that unfolded after the kids’ father apparently committed suicide, authorities said.
The three children — two boys and a girl under 5 years old — and their mother were found in Vadnais Lake near St Paul, the Star Tribune reported. Police are investigating the horrific incident as a homicide.
Authorities had yet to release any names, but family and friends of the deceased told the Daily Mail the mother was Molly Cheng, a 23-year-old local tattoo and beauty artist.
A man, believed to be the children’s father, reportedly shot himself at a Maplewood home and was found dead around 10:30 am Friday by authorities.
Maplewood Police said that while investigating his death, information from family members led authorities to Vadnais Lake around 4 p.m. to investigate a potential murder-suicide there.
Local cops were able to use Cheng’s cell phone to track down her car near the lake. They also uncovered the children’s shoes on the shore of the lake.
“We’re treating this as a potential triple-homicide here at Lake Vadnais,” Ramsay County Sheriff Bob Fletcher told CBS News.
A person identifying herself as the sister of the father shared news of her sibling’s death on Facebook — as well as her fear that his children were dead, too, according to the Daily Mail. The posting occurred Friday before the kids’ remains were discovered.
“Forever goodbye my nicest brother,” wrote Pa Lee, who referred to her brother as “Kos.”
“Why are you making me so mad and sad at the same moment. I’m so sorry that I’m 20 minutes late and cannot help you.”
She added: “I drive so fast to help you and to stop you but I still failed. I’m sorry that I fail you in this life and was late to help you. Only if I was faster then you will be alive.”
The identities of the children and their parents have not been made public by authorities.