Topline: A former client remembered Kristen Brown as a caring mother and daycare provider after authorities said she and her 7-year-old daughter were killed inside the family’s Hopkins child care home.
Published: August 17, 2026 11:34 am ET
Randy Shaw
I cut my teeth in journalism when I began looking into what I saw as abuses of power in my local government. From then on, I was hooked on the dopamine rush of uncovering information.
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HOPKINS, MN — Brown Bear Childcare owner Kristen Brown and her 7-year-old daughter Evie were killed inside the family’s Hopkins daycare before authorities say Nathan Brown died by suicide, turning a place where parents expected a safe morning drop-off into a homicide scene with other children still inside the home.
A former client later remembered Kristen Brown as a loving parent and caregiver who cared deeply about the children in her program, according to KARE 11, as investigators continued piecing together the killings at the in-home daycare.
The Hennepin County search warrant obtained by The Associated Press identified Nathan Brown, 41, as the person who used a screwdriver to fatally stab Kristen Brown, 41, and Evie Brown, 7, in the daycare’s basement on Wednesday, Aug. 12. The warrant says he then went upstairs and fatally shot himself in a closet.
Police said a father dropping off two children heard screams, entered the home, and at first believed Nathan Brown was performing CPR before realizing it was an attack. He called 911 and got his own children and two others out of the house, and authorities said six other children were inside Brown Bear Childcare at the time but were not physically hurt.
Investigators also said Nathan Brown is suspected of killing a 78-year-old female relative earlier that day at a Burnsville home where he had recently been living. Hopkins police said no clear motive had been established, and state records cited by AP show Brown Bear Childcare had been licensed since 2019, had room for 10 children, and had remained in compliance during recent visits.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
If you are experiencing domestic abuse, you are not alone. Help is available. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 or text "START" to 88788 to connect with trained advocates 24/7. Support is free, confidential, and available in over 200 languages. You can also visit thehotline.org for more information and resources.
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Brown Bear Childcare Owner and Daughter Remembered After Hopkins Daycare Killings
A former client remembered Kristen Brown as a caring mother and daycare provider after authorities said she and her 7-year-old daughter were killed inside the family’s Hopkins child care home.
By Randy Shaw
Published: August 17, 2026 11:34 am ET
HOPKINS, MN — Brown Bear Childcare owner Kristen Brown and her 7-year-old daughter Evie were killed inside the family’s Hopkins daycare before authorities say Nathan Brown died by suicide, turning a place where parents expected a safe morning drop-off into a homicide scene with other children still inside the home.
A former client later remembered Kristen Brown as a loving parent and caregiver who cared deeply about the children in her program, according to KARE 11, as investigators continued piecing together the killings at the in-home daycare.
The Hennepin County search warrant obtained by The Associated Press identified Nathan Brown, 41, as the person who used a screwdriver to fatally stab Kristen Brown, 41, and Evie Brown, 7, in the daycare’s basement on Wednesday, Aug. 12. The warrant says he then went upstairs and fatally shot himself in a closet.
Police said a father dropping off two children heard screams, entered the home, and at first believed Nathan Brown was performing CPR before realizing it was an attack. He called 911 and got his own children and two others out of the house, and authorities said six other children were inside Brown Bear Childcare at the time but were not physically hurt.
Investigators also said Nathan Brown is suspected of killing a 78-year-old female relative earlier that day at a Burnsville home where he had recently been living. Hopkins police said no clear motive had been established, and state records cited by AP show Brown Bear Childcare had been licensed since 2019, had room for 10 children, and had remained in compliance during recent visits.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
If you are experiencing domestic abuse, you are not alone. Help is available. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 or text "START" to 88788 to connect with trained advocates 24/7. Support is free, confidential, and available in over 200 languages. You can also visit thehotline.org for more information and resources.
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Brown Bear Childcare Owner and Daughter Remembered After Hopkins Daycare Killings
A former client remembered Kristen Brown as a caring mother and daycare provider after authorities said she and her 7-year-old daughter were killed inside the family’s Hopkins child care home.
By Randy Shaw
Published: August 17, 2026 11:34 am ET
HOPKINS, MN — Brown Bear Childcare owner Kristen Brown and her 7-year-old daughter Evie were killed inside the family’s Hopkins daycare before authorities say Nathan Brown died by suicide, turning a place where parents expected a safe morning drop-off into a homicide scene with other children still inside the home.
A former client later remembered Kristen Brown as a loving parent and caregiver who cared deeply about the children in her program, according to KARE 11, as investigators continued piecing together the killings at the in-home daycare.
The Hennepin County search warrant obtained by The Associated Press identified Nathan Brown, 41, as the person who used a screwdriver to fatally stab Kristen Brown, 41, and Evie Brown, 7, in the daycare’s basement on Wednesday, Aug. 12. The warrant says he then went upstairs and fatally shot himself in a closet.
Police said a father dropping off two children heard screams, entered the home, and at first believed Nathan Brown was performing CPR before realizing it was an attack. He called 911 and got his own children and two others out of the house, and authorities said six other children were inside Brown Bear Childcare at the time but were not physically hurt.
Investigators also said Nathan Brown is suspected of killing a 78-year-old female relative earlier that day at a Burnsville home where he had recently been living. Hopkins police said no clear motive had been established, and state records cited by AP show Brown Bear Childcare had been licensed since 2019, had room for 10 children, and had remained in compliance during recent visits.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
If you are experiencing domestic abuse, you are not alone. Help is available. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 or text "START" to 88788 to connect with trained advocates 24/7. Support is free, confidential, and available in over 200 languages. You can also visit thehotline.org for more information and resources.
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