A young mother and a man are dead after an apparent murder-suicide in Waite Park, Minn., over the weekend, police say.

Officers responded to gunshots at a home in the 200 block of 10th Avenue N. just before 2:15 p.m. Saturday and found two adults dead in the house, according to Police Chief Anthony Reznicek.

The two officers were across the street from the home on a separate matter when they heard gunshots and saw two children, ages 5 and 8, run from the house and confirm a shooting took place. The children were secured in a squad car before officers entered the house, Reznicek said.

Officials on Wednesday identified the dead as Janet Vercruysse, 36, of Waite Park, and Demico Elyea-Goss, 29, of St. Cloud.

Preliminary autopsy results from the Midwest Medical Examiner's Office indicate Vercruysse's death was a homicide by gunfire and Elyea-Goss died from a gunshot wound to his head.

Firearms were found at the scene, Reznicek said. Many local and state law enforcement agencies, including the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, assisted with the scene and investigation.

A friend of Vercruysse on Wednesday described her as a caring and adventurous person who loved spending time with her children, family and friends, as well as her three cats. She had moved to Waite Park just over a year ago.

"She was what everyone should be in life," said Troy Grimler of Howard Lake. "She always had a smile on her face. If somebody walked by and made eye contact, she'd smile and wave at them even if she didn't know them."

Grimler said Vercruysse had a contagious laugh and recalled a fond memory from a motorcycle ride a few years ago.

"I watched her eat a mouthful of bugs when we were on the bike one day because she was laughing and her mouth was open. And she was spitting them out and giggling in between," he said. "We were laughing so hard we had to stop."

Another friend, Jamie Curtis of Clearwater, worked with Vercruysse at a nursing home in Kimball. She said Vercruysse loved getting dressed up in her favorite colors and patterns of purple, pink and leopard print. She also loved decorating her house in a fun and feminine way, Curtis said.

"She would say, 'I have a Barbie house.' She painted her front door pink," Curtis said.

Curtis said Vercruysse was kind and saw the good in everyone: "Her heart was fearless."

The children will be cared for by their father, Curtis said.

How to find help

The National Alliance on Mental Illness in Minnesota recommends these resources if you or someone you know is in crisis:

  • National suicide and crisis lifeline: Text or dial 988
  • Crisis text line: Text "HOME" for help in English or "AYUDA" for help in Spanish to 741741

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