Autopsies reveal that a 35-year-old mother, Stephanie Shields, took her own life after allegedly drowning her two young children, ages 6 and 7 on Easter Day. Police in Zimmerman, Minnesota ruled that the deaths of Shields, 35 and her children Nolan and Josephine were made following autopsies, and that there are no further suspects being sought, myfoxtwincities.com reported.
The sheriff's office in Zimmerman, Minnesota discovered their bodies, and is still awaiting the toxicology reports and lab results. Officials also will be scouring at the woman's electronic communication records as part of the investigation, the Daily Mail reported. Shield's husband and the children's father, Mark, is a member of the National Guard.
Police said that a relative discovered the bodies. Mark has no criminal history, and is not a suspect. The Minnesota National Guard sent out a statement confirming that the children's father is Sgt. 1st Class Mark F. Shields.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the family during this difficult times," Army Major Kristen L. Auge said in a written statement to Fox News.
The bodies were reportedly found at 10 a.m. on Sunday by a family member, and that all three were dead when deputies arrived.
"We're a small-town family, and one of our families lost some loved ones. We're mourning and we'll be praying for them," Zimmerman Mayor Dave Earenfight said.
Stephanie Shields worked in the human resources department at Fairview Health Services, according to the Minneapolis Star Tribune
Deputies surrounded the home at 13309 5th Ave S. on Sunday and blocked access to the area after a family member of the deceased discovered the bodies, according to myfoxtwincities.com.
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