Morrison County officials on Monday said an apparent murder-suicide was behind the deaths of two adults found during a welfare check on Friday.
Deputies and Pierz police officers responded to a home in the 600 block of River Valley Road in Pierz just after 10:30 a.m. Friday. They found two bodies inside.
On Monday, the Morrison County Sheriff’s Office identified them as 32-year-old Crystal Marschel of Pierz and her boyfriend, 34-year-old John Gans of Rice.
The Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office said Marschel died from a gunshot wound to the head, a homicide. Gans’ death was ruled a suicide. A .40-caliber handgun was recovered from the scene, according to Morrison County officials.
Marschel worked as a physical education and health teacher in Isle, Minn., and was a track coach for the Isle/Onamia sports co-op team.
Gans attended St. John’s University, where he played football and coached it for a few years after graduation. He previously worked at the Sauk Rapids-Rice middle school.
At the time of his death, Gans was facing two felony charges and one misdemeanor count for an incident in May 2024 when he was arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated.
When a deputy attempted to handcuff Gans, the two got into a scuffle during which Gans allegedly tried to take the deputy’s handgun, court documents state. The deputy eventually stabbed Gans in the neck to get Gans to release his grip on the handgun.
