Crime

3 Children and a Mother Found Dead After Being Pulled from a Minnesota Lake: 'a Tragic Event'

Each of the children involved in the incident were under the age of 6

Published on July 2, 2022 04:23 PM

Police set up a perimeter at Vadnais Lake after news of a dead child being pulled out of the lake broke, Friday, July 1, 2022 in Vadnais Heights, Minn. The bodies of two young children have been recovered from the Minnesota lake, and searchers are still looking for a third they fear may have been intentionally drowned. (Alex Kormann/Star Tribune via AP) — Photo: Alex Kormann/Star Tribune via AP

Four bodies were discovered in Minnesota's Vadnais Lake after search and rescue efforts began in the area to investigate multiple homicide cases, according to CBS News.

The body of one child was discovered on Friday, while the mother and two other kids were found Saturday. All three children — two boys and one girl — involved in the incident are under the age of 6, per the outlet.

NBC News reported that the killings could potentially be related to a suicide case that took place in the nearby Maplewood area. There, first responders found a man deceased at a home around 10:30 a.m. local time on Friday.

The individual is believed to be the father of the dead children, police said.

Friends and family gathered at Vadnais Lake after news of a dead child being pulled out of the lake broke, Friday, July 1, 2022 in Vadnais Heights, Minn. The bodies of two young children have been recovered from the Minnesota lake, and searchers are still looking for a third they fear may have been intentionally drowned. (Alex Kormann/Star Tribune via AP) — Alex Kormann/Star Tribune via AP

According to the Associated Press, the dead woman's car was located near the lake around 4 p.m. Friday. The shoes of the children were also found on the shore.

"There's nothing more tragic than the loss of young children," Ramsey County Sheriff Bob Fletcher said during an initial press conference on Friday, per the AP.

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Ramsey County Sheriff's Department did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment.

"This is just a tragic event, and our hearts go out to the family members and the friends involved in this incident," Maplewood police Lt. Joe Seiner said, adding that both cases are still under active investigation, according to CNN.

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 or go to suicidepreventionlifeline.org.