Preliminary autopsy results show that Mike Mitzuk shot and killed his wife, Sarah, before shooting himself in a murder-suicide in Hugo early Tuesday morning, Washington County Sheriff Bill Hutton said Thursday.

Her body was found in an upstairs bedroom. Her husband's body was found in an upstairs bathroom with a gun beside him, Hutton said. The sheriff declined to say how many shots were fired or what type of firearm was used.

Toxicology tests won't be available for a few weeks when a final autopsy report is available, Hutton said.

Friends had described Sarah Mitzuk, 32, as a friendly and involved mother who was a grief counselor. She also ran distance races. Mike Mitzuk, 34, owned a tattoo parlor in White Bear Lake.

Hutton said he didn't know why the crime occurred. Three investigators are working full-time to execute search warrants and subpoenas in the case, he said, but he wouldn't describe for what.

In most murder-suicides, a motive is more apparent than in this case, Hutton said.

The Mitzuks' 4-year-old son Michael was found physically unharmed when Sarah Mitzuk's father arrived Tuesday morning at the townhouse at 13435 Europa Court N. in Hugo's Creekview subdivision. The boy remains in the care of relatives, Hutton said.

Sarah Mitzuk was pregnant, friends have said.

Public records show that the Mitzuks bought their townhouse in 2004. Hutton said interviews with neighbors suggest the shootings happened several hours before the bodies were discovered.

Services for Sarah Mitzuk will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Peace Lutheran Church, 20 Northdale Blvd. NW., in Coon Rapids. Visitation will be 4-7 p.m. Monday at Gearhart Funeral Home, 11275 Foley Blvd. NW., Coon Rapids, and also at the church an hour before the service.

Services for Mike Mitzuk will be at noon Thursday at Church of St. Bernard, 197 Geranium Av. W. in St. Paul, with a two-hour visitation preceding the mass.

Donations to the family can be made in person at any of Lake Area Bank's eight branches, or mailed to Mitzuk Family Fund, Lake Area Bank, 14602 Everton Av. N., Hugo, MN 55308.

Kevin Giles • 612-673-4432