Authorities ID Victims of Murder-Suicide in Tiny Minnesota Town

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Lake Benton, MN (KROC-AM News) - Authorities in southwestern Minnesota are indicating the deaths of two people in Lake Benton on Thursday were the result of a murder-suicide.

Lincoln County Sheriff Bob Bushman issued a news release Saturday afternoon that identified the victims as 81-year-old Sandra Wilson Goertz and 80-year-old Edward Goertz. They were both residents of Lake Benton.

The Sheriff says the Midwest Medical Examiner's Office determined that Sandra Goertz died from multiple gunshot wounds, while her husband's death was caused by a single gunshot wound. Her death was ruled a homicide, and his death has been ruled a suicide.

The Sheriff's Office and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension are still investigating the circumstances that may have led to the tragedy.

A previous news release indicated the victims were discovered Thursday after Lincoln County deputies responded to a medical call from a home in the small town, which is located about 30 miles southwest of Marshall. When they arrived at the scene, Sandra Goertz had already died from her injuries, while her husband was rushed to a hospital in nearby Tyler, where he later died. A gun was recovered at the scene.

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