Minnesota Couple Found Dead in Murder-Suicide After They Both Faced Cancer Diagnoses

Steven Stearns, 45, and his wife Stacy Stearns, 49, were found dead in their rural Minnesota home Tuesday morning alongside their two dogs. It has since been revealed that they both were suffering from cancer.

At 9:09 a.m., Steven Stearns reportedly called 911 to their home on the 25000 block of County Road 6, in Lake Township, Minnesota. When officers arrived at their home, deputies from the Detroit Lakes Police Department found Steven Stearns and Stacey Stears. Two deceased dogs were found near their bodies.

Their bodies were taken to the Ramsey County Medical Examiner’s Office so autopsies could be preformed alongside identification. Their autopsies revealed Stacey’s cause of death to be homicide, and Steven’s to be suicide.

Tammy Lawrence, a friend of the couple, told the Forum that Steven had confided in her about their plans to end their lives. Lawrence explained that Steven was suffering from terminal lung cancer. Stacy was also recently diagnosed with stomach cancer and neither wanted to go through chemotherapy.

Steven reportedly told Lawrence “I can't look in your eyes and lie to you anymore, and somebody has to be able to tell people why we are going to do what we were going to do.” A definitive date had not been set by the couple, and last Saturday Lawrence spoke to Steven about staying alive until his birthday next month. After their conversation, his health rapidly declined over a 48 hour period.

On their joint Facebook account, the Stearns sent a final message to their family and friends, saying: "To our loved ones. We chose to leave this world as we lived in it. In love and together. Our only regret is the sorrow to our loved ones. Remember the laughter and happiness We love you. Goodbye."