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Autopsy results released in murder-suicide case

Photo: Comstock, Photos.com

Jun 28, 2012 at 8:37 am

LAKE EDWARD TOWNSHIP, MN (AP) - Authorities have released final autopsy results in the deaths of a couple in Crow Wing County.

The sheriff's department report says 57-year-old Kathleen Ponsness died of manual strangulation at her Lake Edward Township home last April. Her husband, 56-year-old Kenneth Ponsness died of an apparently self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. Both bodies were found in a bed in the master bedroom. A German shepherd dog was found fatally shot on the floor.

The report says the state fire marshal found two fires were intentionally set in the garage and five more were set in the home. Deputies say a suicide note was found in the Ponsness' vehicle parked on the road.

The Brainerd Dispatch (http://bit.ly/OCciMc) says investigators have closed the case as a murder-suicide.