Crime
Minnesota Father Nathan Brown Kills Wife Kristen Brown and 7-Year-Old Daughter at Brown Bear Childcare Before Taking His Own Life
HOPKINS, Minn. — A devastating act of violence at a licensed home daycare in Hopkins, Minnesota, left a mother and her young daughter dead Wednesday morning after police say the woman’s husband allegedly attacked them before taking his own life.
The incident occurred shortly after 9 a.m. Wednesday, August 12, at Brown Bear Childcare, a licensed in-home daycare on Tyler Avenue North in Hopkins, approximately 10 miles west of Minneapolis.
Hopkins police identified the couple as 41-year-old Nathan Brown and his wife, 41-year-old Kristen Brown. Their 7-year-old daughter was also killed in the incident.
According to Hopkins Police Chief Brent Johnson, investigators believe Nathan Brown stabbed his wife and daughter before fatally shooting himself.
Police were called to the residence after a parent arriving at Brown Bear Childcare to drop off a child reportedly witnessed at least part of the violence and contacted authorities.
Officers responded to the home for a reported domestic incident. When they entered the residence, they discovered Nathan Brown, Kristen Brown and their daughter dead.
Authorities said the deaths appeared to be connected to a domestic violence incident and are investigating the case as an apparent murder-suicide.
The circumstances surrounding the attack remain under investigation, and police have not released a possible motive.
The violence occurred while six other children were inside the daycare.
Despite the horrifying circumstances, authorities said none of the other children were physically injured. The children were removed from the residence and later reunited with their families.
Initial reports described the Browns’ daughter as younger than 5 years old, but subsequent information identified her as 7 years old.
Authorities have not indicated that any of the other children were specifically targeted during the incident.
Investigators are also examining a potentially related death reported later Wednesday in Burnsville, approximately 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.
Investigators believe the Burnsville death may be connected to the deadly incident at Brown Bear Childcare.
If authorities confirm the connection, the violence could have resulted in four deaths, including Brown, his wife, their daughter and the 78-year-old woman.
However, police have not publicly disclosed the exact relationship between Brown and the woman or established a complete timeline showing when the Burnsville killing occurred in relation to the daycare attack.
Authorities have not released a motive for the violence or provided additional details about what led to the deadly attacks.
Investigators are working to establish a timeline of events, determine the relationship between the Hopkins and Burnsville incidents, and gather additional evidence.
The investigation remains active, and authorities are expected to release further information as detectives continue reviewing the evidence surrounding the deaths.
FORT WORTH, Texas — Nathan Palacios, 19, was found dead in a wooded area of Fort Worth on the evening of Sunday, November 1, 2026, several days after he was reported missing. His body was discovered near the 4600 block of Rendon Road, according to information reportedly listed in Tarrant County Medical Examiner records.
Palacios was last seen on October 31, according to missing-person notices shared by his family and members of the community. Following his disappearance, relatives and community members circulated information in an effort to locate him and bring him home safely.
The search ended in tragedy when his body was discovered in a wooded area near Rendon Road on Sunday evening.
Records from the Tarrant County Medical Examiner reportedly indicate that Palacios’ body was recovered at approximately 10:33 p.m. on November 1. Further official details about the recovery have not been provided in the information currently available.
The discovery came amid reports of fights and disturbances at a Halloween gathering in the surrounding area. Those reports have drawn attention as investigators work to establish the circumstances leading up to Palacios’ death.
However, authorities have not confirmed whether the reported disturbances were connected to his disappearance or death. At this stage, any possible connection remains unverified, and investigators have not publicly established what happened to the 19-year-old.
The circumstances surrounding Palacios’ death remain under investigation. Authorities have not released further information about the cause or manner of death, and no confirmed details have been provided regarding the events that preceded the discovery.
Investigators are asking anyone who may have information about Palacios’ disappearance, his last known whereabouts, or circumstances that could assist the investigation to contact Fort Worth authorities.
Anyone with relevant information is encouraged to come forward and share what they know with investigators.
As the family faces the loss of their loved one, a fundraising campaign has reportedly been organized to help cover funeral and burial expenses.
The campaign aims to provide financial support during a difficult time as relatives make arrangements to lay Palacios to rest. Community members who wish to help are encouraged to consult the family’s official fundraising information for details.
The death of 19-year-old Nathan Palacios has left his family and community facing a painful loss. After he was reported missing and efforts were made to locate him, the discovery of his body brought a heartbreaking end to the search.
As authorities continue working to determine the circumstances surrounding his death, thoughts and condolences are with his family, friends, and everyone affected by this tragedy.
May Nathan Palacios rest in peace.