Kristen Brown Obituary: Hopkins Daycare Owner and 7-Year-Old Daughter Evie Killed in Family Tragedy

HOPKINS, Minnesota — The Hopkins community is mourning the deaths of Kristen Brown, 41, and her 7-year-old daughter, Evie Brown, following a devastating incident at the family’s home, where Kristen operated Brown Bear Daycare.

The August 12 tragedy also claimed the life of Alice Brown, 78, while authorities believe Kristen’s husband, Nathan Brown, 41, was responsible for the killings before dying from what investigators suspect was a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Six other children who were inside the daycare were safely evacuated and were not physically injured.

The deaths have devastated the Brown family, daycare families and the wider Hopkins community, where Kristen was known for caring for children and creating an environment that many families reportedly considered a second home.

Kristen Brown and Daughter Evie Killed at Hopkins Home

According to the information provided, the violence unfolded Wednesday, August 12, inside the Hopkins residence where Brown Bear Daycare operated.

A father arriving to drop off his children reportedly entered through the back door, which families routinely used when arriving at the daycare.

After hearing children screaming, he went into the basement and initially believed Nathan was attempting to perform CPR.

The witness then realized that Kristen and Evie were allegedly being attacked with a screwdriver.

Recognizing the danger, the father reportedly grabbed his own child and two other children before fleeing the residence and calling 911.

Police responding to the home subsequently found Kristen and Evie dead from their injuries.

Six Children Safely Evacuated From Brown Bear Daycare

One of the most significant details to emerge from the tragedy was that several other children were inside the daycare when the violence occurred.

According to the information available, six children were safely evacuated and were not physically injured.

For parents who had entrusted Brown Bear Daycare with their children, the incident transformed a familiar childcare setting into the scene of an unimaginable tragedy.

Hopkins Police Chief Brent Johnson reportedly acknowledged the devastating nature of the situation, particularly for families who expected the daycare to be a safe environment for their children.

The emotional impact on the surviving children, their parents and others connected to the daycare may extend far beyond the immediate aftermath of the incident.

Nathan Brown Found Dead Inside Home

Nathan Brown was also discovered deceased inside the Hopkins residence.

Investigators believe he died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Authorities are treating the Hopkins deaths as a suspected murder-suicide, according to the information provided. However, investigators have not publicly established a definitive motive for the killings.

The complete circumstances and sequence of events remain part of the ongoing investigation.

Investigators Connect Death of Alice Brown in Burnsville

Authorities also believe the Hopkins tragedy was connected to another death involving the Brown family.

Before the attack at the daycare, investigators believe Nathan killed his 78-year-old mother, Alice Brown, at her home in Burnsville.

Alice was reportedly discovered dead from injuries described by police as consistent with an apparent stabbing.

Investigators believe the Burnsville and Hopkins deaths were connected, resulting in the deaths of Kristen, Evie and Alice before Nathan was found dead.

Authorities continue working to establish the complete timeline of events and determine what led to the violence.

Remembering Kristen Brown and Brown Bear Daycare

Beyond the circumstances of her death, Kristen is being remembered for the years she spent caring for children.

She operated Brown Bear Daycare from the family’s Hopkins home and had reportedly worked with children for much of her life.

Families connected to the daycare described it as a close community rather than simply a childcare business. For some children and parents, Brown Bear Daycare had reportedly become like a second home.

That relationship made Kristen an important figure in the everyday lives of numerous families.

Her work involved watching children grow, supporting parents and creating relationships that extended beyond routine childcare.

Those connections are now part of the legacy she leaves behind.

Remembering 7-Year-Old Evie Brown

The death of Evie Brown at only 7 years old has added another devastating dimension to the tragedy.

Evie was not only Kristen’s daughter but also an important part of the community surrounding Brown Bear Daycare.

Her young life ended under circumstances that have left relatives, daycare families and members of the wider community struggling with profound grief.

For those who knew Evie, memories of her childhood, personality and time spent around the daycare will remain part of how she is remembered.

Daycare Families Had Been Told of Planned Closure

According to the information provided, Kristen had reportedly informed families approximately two weeks before the killings that she planned to close Brown Bear Daycare because of “relationship issues” with Nathan.

That information has become part of the broader investigation and public account of the events preceding the deaths.

However, authorities have not publicly established a motive for the killings. The existence of reported relationship difficulties should therefore not be treated by itself as an explanation for what occurred.

Investigators continue working to understand the circumstances leading to the attacks.

Community Gathers to Remember Kristen, Evie and Alice

The scale of the loss was reflected when more than 200 friends, relatives and community members reportedly gathered in Hopkins to remember Kristen, Evie and Alice.

Families associated with Brown Bear Daycare joined relatives and community members in mourning.

During the gathering, people remembered Kristen’s dedication to caring for children and reflected on the place both she and Evie held within the daycare community.

The gathering also provided an opportunity for people affected by the tragedy to support one another while honoring the three victims.

Investigation Into Hopkins Family Deaths Continues

Authorities continue investigating the deaths and working to establish a complete timeline of what occurred in Burnsville and Hopkins.

While investigators believe Nathan was responsible for the deaths of Kristen, Evie and Alice, the case remains subject to official investigative findings.

Questions surrounding motive and the precise sequence of events may become clearer as authorities complete their work.

For the families connected to Brown Bear Daycare, however, the tragedy has already created a lasting impact.

Kristen Brown will be remembered for the children she cared for and the relationships she developed with their families. Evie will be remembered as a beloved 7-year-old whose life ended far too soon, while Alice Brown’s loved ones are also mourning the loss of a mother, relative and member of their family.

May Kristen Brown, Evie Brown and Alice Brown rest in peace. May their relatives, friends, the Brown Bear Daycare families and everyone affected by this devastating tragedy find strength and comfort as they mourn their loss.

Disclaimer

This article is based on the information available at the time of publication. Kristen Brown, 41, her daughter Evie Brown, 7, and Alice Brown, 78, were reported to have been killed in incidents authorities believe were connected. Nathan Brown, 41, was also found deceased, and investigators reportedly suspect that he was responsible for the three deaths before dying from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

The investigation remains ongoing, and the complete sequence of events, motive, final causes and manners of death, and other circumstances surrounding the case should be confirmed through the relevant law enforcement agencies, medical authorities or other authoritative sources.

Information may be updated as additional verified details become available. This article is intended for general informational and memorial purposes and should not be considered a substitute for an official police report, medical examiner’s determination, court record, obituary or statement from the families involved.