BREEZY POINT, Minn. — Crow Wing County officials revealed new details about three people who were found shot to death at a Breezy Point, Minnesota resort Tuesday, saying the incident appears to be the result of a murder-suicide.
On Thursday, the attorney’s office identified the victims as Melanie Jansen, 54, of Maple Grove and Hannah Parmenter, 29, of Elk River. The alleged shooter was identified as 59-year-old Michael Toner, also of Maple Grove.
According to a press release from the county attorney’s office, authorities were sent to the Whitebirch Resort on the evening of Sept. 5 after a 911 caller reported looking through the window of one of the resort’s rental units and seeing two people bleeding on the floor. The statement from the attorney’s office said the responding officer peered through a window when he arrived around 8:45 p.m. and also reported seeing people on the floor of the residence.
The statement said when the officer tried to gain entry to the unit, he found it was locked, so he broke through a window adjacent to the front door and was able to reach in and access the lock in order to let himself inside.
When the officer entered the unit, he said he found three people dead with apparent gunshot wounds.
A short time later, a sergeant with the police department arrived at the scene and was briefed on the situation by the initial responding officer. The press release said the officer identified the 911 caller as the son of Jansen and brother of Permenter, who told dispatch he went to the unit to visit his family members but could not get in touch with them when he arrived. That’s when, he told police, he looked through the window and saw a man and woman on the floor with blood around them.
The autopsy results from the Ramsey County Medical Examiner’s Office showed Jansen and Parmenter both died from multiple gunshot wounds and their deaths were ruled homicides. The results from Toner’s autopsy indicated he died from a single gunshot wound to the head. His death was ruled a suicide.
Authorities allege Jansen and Toner were involved in a romantic relationship at the time of their deaths.
A GoFundMe created on behalf of Melanie and Hannah's families described the pair as "kind, generous, selfless, and genuine." According to the fundraiser, Hannah leaves behind a husband, and Melanie leaves behind a son and daughter-in-law.
Crow Wing County officials say the investigation remains open and ongoing, but there’s no lingering threat to the public.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence and needs help, call 800-799-7233 or text START to 88788 to be connected with someone from the National Domestic Violence Hotline. The hotline includes more options for support and identifiers of abuse on its website.
For Minnesota residents, Cornerstone MN offers resources and safe housing for domestic abuse survivors and crime victims. Call 1-866-223-1111 or chat online with the crisis hotline.
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