A man in Hopkins, Minnesota, killed his wife and 7-year-old daughter at their home daycare before taking his own life, with investigators linking the tragedy to a separate homicide in Burnsville. Six children were unharmed during the incident, which unfolded on Wednesday.
The fatal incident occurred around 9 a.m. at a home daycare on the 230 block of Tyler Avenue North, where 41-year-old Nathan Brown allegedly stabbed his wife, Kristen Ann Brown, and their daughter, Evie, before shooting himself. Police found the couple and the child dead in the kitchen, with the man later discovered in an upstairs closet from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to a search warrant filed in Hennepin County.
A parent who arrived to drop off children described hearing the sound of children screaming and witnessing Nathan Brown actively stabbing his wife and daughter before fleeing the scene, FOX9 reported. The witness, who had received a newsletter from Kristen Brown about the daycare closing due to relationship issues with Nathan, said he took his own children and two others to safety before calling 911.
Search warrant: Man stabbed daughter, wife with screwdriver in
The witness told police he had received a letter from Kristen about two weeks ago stating the daycare would be closing due to relationship issues with Nathan,
the warrant states. He described seeing Nathan on top of Kristen, a screwdriver lying on the girl’s torso, and witnessing him stab Evie. The parent then grabbed his children and two others and left the home before calling 911, according to the warrant.
Another parent, Iola Kostrzewski, recalled Kristen Brown as an amazing, amazing mother
and an amazing caregiver
who provided emergency daycare for her family. She was funny and witty, Kostrzewski said, adding that the community was grappling with a lot of confusion over the tragedy. KSTP highlighted the growing memorial outside the daycare, where flowers, a candle, and a plush toy were placed near the home.
Investigators connected the Hopkins killings to a separate homicide in Burnsville, where a 78-year-old woman was found fatally stabbed the same day. Police believe the man had recently been living with the victim, described as a close family relative, AP News reported. The Burnsville incident remains under investigation, with authorities noting the timeline between the two events is still being clarified.
The daycare, operated as Brown Bear Childcare, had been licensed since 2019 and held a capacity for 10 children. State records show it was in compliance during inspections in 2023, 2024, and 2025. Hopkins Police Chief Brent Johnson called the incident a “rarity” in the community, noting officers were “shaken” by the scene they found. This was one of those ones that you’ll remember for your entire career,
he said.
Hopkins daycare deaths
Neighbors expressed shock at the violence, with one describing the home as a “garage house” known for its colorful mural. Amanda Marx, a resident across the street, said she had no prior knowledge of the couple running a daycare from their home. I’m just trying to figure out how to explain to my 7-year-old why there’s crime scene tape on our deck,
she said.
While the motive remains unclear, the search warrant retrieved evidence including a screwdriver, firearms, and electronic devices. Authorities have not released details about Nathan Brown’s mental health or any prior conflicts. The six children present during the attack were reunited with their families, though the trauma of witnessing the event may linger.
Kristen Brown’s colleagues and clients described her as a devoted caregiver, with one parent recalling her amazing businesswoman
spirit. She was an amazing caregiver,
not only to her daughter but to all the children in her care, KSTP reported.
Man kills his 7-year-old daughter and her mother at
As the investigation continues, the community faces a painful reckoning. The loss of Kristen and Evie has left a void, with neighbors and friends struggling to process the tragedy. I don’t want the worst thing that happened to Kristen to become the entirety of who Kristen was,
said Kostrzewski, who hopes the focus remains on the woman’s life rather than the violence that ended it.
Police Chief Brent Johnson emphasized the horror of the scene, stating, There’s no worse scenario than this, where you drop off your child somewhere you think is safe, and you get that phone call.
He added, This is a tragic day and horrific scene for little children to witness, if they did witness this.
The search warrant also noted that the man may have recently been living with a 78-year-old woman who was found fatally stabbed at a Burnsville home that same day.
No names were released in either case, and investigators are working to determine the sequence of events between the two homicides.
Local authorities described the incident as a “rarity” in Hopkins, with no prior police calls to the address. The daycare’s Facebook page, which features photos of children playing with toys and colorful decorations, has drawn attention to the contrast between its serene image and the violence that occurred inside.
As the community mourns, the focus remains on the victims and the lingering questions surrounding the tragedy. She was an amazing, amazing mother,
Kostrzewski reiterated, her voice trembling. This is just a nightmare.
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