4 family members found in southeast Minnesota fire died from gunshot wounds

Contributed / GoFundMe By Staff reports Today at 4:05 PM Listen Share Share this article News Reporting News Reporting Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. The Trust Project What is this? GRAND MEADOW, Minn. — The four family members found dead in a Grand Meadow house fire Sunday died by gunshot wounds, the Mower County Sheriff's Office confirmed Wednesday. Seven-year-old Calvin and 14-year-olds Oliver and Felix Christenson were killed — the manner of death is homicide, the sheriff's office said in a news release Wednesday, Nov. 11. ADVERTISEMENT Their father, Levi Christenson, died by suicide, according to the sheriff's office. The family of the deceased said they will not provide any public comments or statements regarding the incident. "The nature of this tragic and inconceivable tragedy occurring in the close-knit small community has touched all parts of the community," Sheriff Steve Sandvik wrote. "We continue to ask that the privacy of all involved is respected during this extremely difficult time as the community comes together to help each other come to grips with this tragedy and work toward healing." John Molseed / Post Bulletin The Grand Meadow Fire Department and Mower County sheriff’s deputies responded to a fire in Grand Meadow at a home at the corner of First Avenue Northeast and First Street around 11:30 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 8. Once the fire was under control, first responders discovered four individuals in the home who had died. Sandvik said that due to the complex nature of the investigation, the sheriff's office is not anticipating releasing more information at this time. The twins, Felix and Oliver Christenson, were freshmen at Grand Meadow High School and members of the school football team this season, according to a school roster. ADVERTISEMENT A family friend created a GoFundMe for Lauren Hosp, the children’s mother. “Lauren's three boys were her entire world, her greatest blessings, and the light of her life. Everything she did was rooted in the love she had for them,” the GoFundMe reads. “During this incredibly difficult time, we are asking our friends, family, and surrounding communities to come together and surround Lauren with all the love, compassion, and support we possibly can.” Share Share this article News Reporting News Reporting Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. The Trust Project What is this? Tags Tags GRAND MEADOW MOWER COUNTY CRIME AND COURTS PUBLIC SAFETY FIRES By Staff reports Our newsroom occasionally reports stories under a byline of "staff." Often, the "staff" byline is used when rewriting basic news briefs that originate from official sources, such as a city press release about a road closure, and which require little or no reporting. At times, this byline is used when a news story includes numerous authors or when the story is formed by aggregating previously reported news from various sources. If outside sources are used, it is noted within the story. Listen to this article What To Read Next Minnesota Vigil, rally set as detainees arrive at Minnesota detention facility 1h ago · By Staff reports Minnesota Feds 'disallow' $113M in Medicaid funds to Minnesota, citing fraud concerns 2h ago · By Mary Murphy Minnesota Perham Post Office makes national mark in stamp sales for cancer research 3h ago · By Barbie Porter ADVERTISEMENT Get Local Must Reads Minnesota 3M settles chemical contamination claims for $7.35B, while admitting no guilt 4h ago · By Brian Martucci / Minnesota Reformer Columns Port: The voters are standing behind North Dakota's property tax cap 11h ago · By Rob Port Minnesota Becker County voter's ballot misses deadline by a day as Senate race remains close 22h ago · By Michael McGurran Women's Sports Bison women's basketball signs two North Dakotans, part of large 2027 signing class 5h ago · By Dom Izzo