In a tragic event on December 1, 2019, Kjersten Marie Ellingson Schladetzky, a 39-year-old Caucasian female from Minneapolis, Minnesota, was killed in a triple murder-suicide. The incident, which also claimed the lives of her two young sons, unfolded on a Sunday morning at her home in the 2700 block of Oakland Avenue. Neighbors reported hearing gunshots and witnessing the two boys running out of the house into the front yard, where they were shot by their father.
The perpetrator was
identified as Kjersten's 53-year-old ex-husband, David Schladetzky. The couple had divorced in June of that year and had shared joint custody of their sons, William, 11, and Nelson, 8. On the day of the incident, David had arrived at the home to pick up the children. After shooting the boys in the yard, he went inside the house and fatally shot Kjersten before turning the gun on himself. The Hennepin County Medical Examiner later confirmed that Kjersten died from multiple gunshot wounds and a stab wound to the chest.
When police arrived at the scene around 10 a.m. following reports of gunfire, they found the two boys in the front yard. A standoff ensued for several hours as law enforcement attempted to make contact with anyone inside the home. Upon entering, they discovered the bodies of Kjersten and David Schladetzky. David's death was ruled a suicide from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The investigation revealed no prior history of domestic violence or protective orders between the former couple. Court records only showed minor traffic infractions for David Schladetzky. Authorities did find a suicide note at the scene, though its contents were not publicly disclosed. The firearm used in the killings had been legally obtained by David Schladetzky, who had a permit to purchase a firearm. The tragedy sent shockwaves through the community, with friends and neighbors remembering Kjersten as a devoted mother and a vibrant individual.
