Minnesota Couple With Cancer Found Dead Inside Their Home After Agreeing to Pursue Murder-Suicide Plot

A Minnesota couple were found dead inside their home Tuesday after they both agreed to proceed with their murder-suicide plot to end their suffering from cancer.

Becker County Sheriff Todd Glander said Steven Stearns, 45, took his own life after killing his wife, Stacy Stearns, 49, and their two dogs.

Crime Online reported that police found the lifeless Minnesota couple with the dogs inside their Lakeview Township home on Tuesday morning after receiving a phone call requesting the need for law enforcement.

Steven reportedly had terminal lung cancer, while Stacy had stomach cancer. One of their two dogs was also in ailing health. A family friend revealed to InForum that Steven told her about the murder-suicide pact he had with his wife.

However, Steven did not provide a timeline. Steven also reportedly asked his friend, Tammy Lawrence, to promise not to reveal their plan.

"They've always had a pact that, 'We will go together.' They said, 'What kind of life would it be in and out of the hospital with chemo? It's not a life'," Lawrence told the outlet.

Minnesota Couple Posts Goodbye Message on Facebook Before Committing Suicide

Tammy Lawrence said Steven Stearns' health rapidly declined days before their deaths. According to People, the Minnesota couple posted a goodbye message on Facebook a minute before they called 911.

The message addressed to their loved ones said: "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."

The Minnesota couple reportedly had no children and had considered their dogs to be their kids. According to DL-Online, the couple's bodies were sent to the Ramsey County Medical Examiner's Office for autopsies and identification after police found them.

The medical examiner's office said Stacy's cause of death was ruled a homicide, while Steven's cause of death was ruled a suicide.

Minnesota Couple Diagnosed With Cancer Celebrates Their 21st Wedding Anniversary Before Ending Their Lives

Steven Stearns and Stacy Stearns just celebrated their 21st wedding anniversary last week. Tammy Lawrence said the two were "lovable people," and "when they hug you, you felt warm and secure."

Lawrence said the couple always showed love and affection to each other, constantly giving "a kiss or a pat on the rear." The pair reportedly named their two dogs Baby and Goliath, who weighed 150 pounds.

Lawrence said they had a birthday party for Goliath and had his own porterhouse steak. Goliath reportedly had his own health issues and could no longer walk. The couple's family and friends asked the public to live and love life the way the Stearns did and not to remember how they died.

"He's not a murderer. This was done out love. It's what they both wanted. They wanted to go together with their dogs," Lawrence said. The InForum reported that the Minnesota couple's clothes and dishes are being donated to a local crisis center.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Mary Webber

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