Authorities ID Victim, Shooter in Waite Park Murder-Suicide

Apr 16

The two people found dead in Waite Park Saturday afternoon have been identified, with authorities now confirming the incident was a murder-suicide.

Demico Elyea-Goss, 29, of St. Cloud, and Janet Vercruysse, 36, of Waite Park, were located by responding officers, both deceased inside a home on the 200 block of 10th Avenue North.

Two Waite Park police officers were already near the home on an unrelated incident when they heard gunfire just after 2 p.m. on April 12. Officers immediately notified Stearns County Dispatch and moved toward the residence.

PREVIOUSLY: 2 Dead in Waite Park Murder-Suicide

Moments later, two children—ages 5 and 8—ran from the home and told the officers a shooting had just occurred inside. The children were not injured and were secured in a squad car while the officers made entry.

Inside the home, police found Vercruysse and Elyea-Goss both dead. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension was called to assist with processing the scene, where multiple firearms were recovered. Authorities did not immediately disclose the number nor type of firearms found or if Elyea-Goss owned them.

According to preliminary autopsy findings from the Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office, Vercruysse died from multiple gunshot wounds and her death was ruled a homicide. Elyea-Goss died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head and his death was ruled a suicide, authorities said Wednesday, April 16. No officers discharged their weapons during the response.

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Law enforcement agencies from across the region responded to the neighborhood Saturday afternoon, including the Stearns County Sheriff’s Office, police departments from St. Cloud, Sartell, St. Joseph and Cold Spring, the Minnesota State Patrol and Mayo Ambulance.

Neighbors reported seeing a SWAT presence and state troopers helping with traffic closures as investigators worked through the afternoon. A section of 10th Avenue North was shut down from 2nd Street North to 3rd Street North while crews processed the home.

The relationship between Vercruysse and Elyea-Goss has not yet been publicly detailed.

PREVIOUSLY: 2 Dead in Waite Park Murder-Suicide

If you or someone you love is experiencing thoughts of suicide, get help now by calling or texting the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.

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