EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. – After days of searching for answers, family and friends of a Lake Minnetonka family of five killed in a murder-suicide finally found at least a little peace Sunday.
About 600 people attended the funeral for the Short family. And while answers about the tragedy may have eluded them, loved ones did welcome the opportunity to remember the entire family.
"Their lives defined the American dream. A dad and mom working so hard so they could enjoy things they didn't have growing up," said a family friend, Linda, about the Short family.
On Sept. 10, police found the bodies of Brian Short, 45, his wife, Karen, 48 and their three children: Cole, 17; Madison, 15; and Brooklyn, 14 in their Lake Minnetonka home. A medical examiner's report determined the father killed his wife and children before turning the gun on himself.
On Sunday, there was little direct reference to that tragedy. But one relative did provide insights into what led up to the murder-suicide.
"But deep down there was a storm brewing, not one that you could see or hear," said Leo Williams, who is married to Brian's sister.
"Business was slow. Business-based challenges Brian was not used to having. He was no longer seen out on the lake. He was not at family gatherings," Williams said, adding that Short had also lost 60 pounds.
"The once lovable goofball that everyone knew and loved was now fighting depression and anxiety. Brian went to the doctor and was given medication to help him, but that was not working. So he went back to the doctor and they changed his medication once again," Williams said, finally posing this question: "How could this lovable guy, who yes, loved his family, do this? The answer is very simple. We will never know."
Beyond those insights, family and friends took the opportunity to celebrate the lives lost.
Karen was described as a "hero" by her sister, Kelly. She was a mother who loved her children, "unconditionally," and had a contagious laugh and infectious smile.
Before his troubles, Brian was described as "gentle," "kind," a "great friend."
Cole, a senior at Minnetonka High School, was described as a young entrepreneur who also loved the occasional prank.
"Cole was very intelligent, fun-loving and had a heart of gold," said his cousin, Brittany Wilhelm.
Madison, a sophomore at Minnetonka High School, loved to sing, dance and act and even considered a future in politics.
"She had a passion to make the world a better place," Wilhelm said.
And Brooklyn, a freshman at Minnetonka, was "kind, funny, fully of laughter, caring, love, smiling and a great soccer player," said her best friend.
Kelly Wilhelm told those gathered at the funeral she'd received a message from her sister in recent days.
"She wanted us to know they're all okay, and they're all together up in heaven. They're happy and they're at peace. She doesn't want us to focus on what happened or how they left. She wants us to focus on the future and how to carry on and live our own lives and be happy. She wants us to know that's okay to do," Wilhelm said, adding, "I told her of course, it's not going to happen tomorrow."
A memorial fund has been established for the Short family at Provincial Bank, PO Box 459, Lakeville, MN 55044.
