Friend says Cancer Diagnosis Prompted Murder-Suicide of Couple near Detroit Lakes

Steven & Stacy Stearns via facebook

DETROIT LAKES (KDLM) – Friends of Steven and Stacy Stearns say the couple had both been diagnosed with terminal cancer before being found dead inside their Lake View Township home from a murder-suicide on Tuesday, Sept. 27.

At 9:09 a.m. deputies from the Becker County Sheriff’s Office were called to the Stearns’ home where their bodies were found along with two deceased dogs.

A family friend said the couple had just celebrated their 21st wedding anniversary on September 21, but both were battling terminal cancer, Steven, lung cancer and Stacy, stomach cancer. “He made me promise not to say anything, somebody has to be able to tell people why were are going to do what we’re going to do” said friend Tammy Lawrence in an interview with the Fargo Forum.

A post on Facebook one minute before the couple called 911 read, “To our loved ones. We chose to leave this world as we lived in it. In love and together. Our only regret is the sorrow to our loved ones. Remember the laughter and happiness We love you. Goodbye.” That post also included a short will.