In the quiet town of Andover, Minnesota, a concerned neighbor's call to the police on the evening of May 31, 2017, unraveled a domestic tragedy. Inside a home on the 900 block of 139th Avenue Northwest, Anoka County deputies discovered the bodies of three adults. The deceased were identified as 58-year-old Brian Regnier, a male, his 69-year-old wife Karen Regnier, and their 27-year-old son, Aaron Regnier.
Investigators determined that all three individuals died from gunshot wounds in what was ultimately classified as a murder-suicide. The Anoka County Sheriff's Office concluded that Aaron Regnier shot and killed his parents before taking his own life. A. 22-caliber semi-automatic handgun and casings were recovered from the scene, with all three bodies found in the family's living room.
The investigation revealed a history of domestic disturbances at the residence, with authorities having been called to the home on previous occasions. Court documents indicated that Aaron Regnier had a history of mental health and chemical dependency issues. In 2015, he had been civilly committed for a period after an altercation with his father regarding treatment for alcoholism. During that time, he was noted to have a history of depression and had exhibited violent behavior, including hitting walls, breaking furniture, and biting his father. Despite these challenges, those who knew the family described Brian and Karen as supportive parents who wanted the best for their son. Aaron also had a prior criminal record, including a 2012 conviction for possession of child pornography.
The initial welfare check was prompted by a neighbor who noticed the family's garbage had not been taken out and that there had been no lights on in the house for a couple of days, which was unusual for the normally active household. Friends and neighbors remembered Brian and Karen as "awesome people" who were an integral part of their community. The tragic event left friends and the wider community in shock and mourning the loss of the couple.
