Apparent murder-suicide under investigation in International Falls

INTERNATIONAL FALLS, Minn. — An apparent murder-suicide is being investigated in International Falls.

At 4:40 a.m. Friday, a Koochiching County Sheriff’s Office deputy was on routine patrol when he noted a vehicle running in the driveway of a residence in the 4100 block of Highway 11, according to a news release Saturday.

The deputy was aware of a protection order in place between the owner of the vehicle and the occupant of the residence, according to the sheriff’s office.

After deputies tried to make contact with the “occupants of the residence,” they, along with International Falls police officers, forced entry into the residence and located two people dead.

The Sheriff’s Office identified the deceased as Ashley E. Kittelson, 35, of International Falls and Nicholas D. Kittelson, 44, of International Falls.

Authorities said Ashley was killed by an apparent gunshot wound, and Nicholas died of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.

“The Koochiching County Sheriff’s Office is being assisted in the investigation by the International Falls Police Department, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, and the Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office. The Koochiching County Sheriff’s Office has no further information to release at this time,” according to the release.

Meanwhile, the International Falls School District released a statement (see below) Saturday that provided resources of support to those affected by the tragedy.