Police: Family deaths were homicide, suicide

The Sherburne County sheriff has released the cause of death of a mother and two children found dead in their home in Zimmerman over the weekend.

The Ramsey County Medical Examiner has preliminarily ruled Stephanie Shields' death a probable suicide, and her children's deaths were ruled homicides due to drowning.

A neighbor called 911 on Sunday after finding the bodies of 35-year-old Stephanie Shields, and her children, seven-year-old Nolen and six-year-old Josephine.

The Sheriff's office says there is no threat to the public in relation to the case, and the examination is ongoing.

More details are in this press release:

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