Blue Earth Sheriff: Man commits suicide after woman’s death ruled a homicide

LAKE CRYSTAL, Minn. (FOX 9) – A man was found with a self-inflicted gunshot wound while law enforcement went to tell him about a woman who was found shot to death in rural Lake Crystal.

Woman’s suspicious death ruled a homicide

What we know:

THE Terre Bleue County The sheriff’s office initially reported the woman’s death as suspicious after responding to a home on 515th Avenue, just north of Highway 60 in rural Lake Crystal, on Thursday around 7:20 p.m.

LEARN MORE: Woman found dead in Blue Earth Co. home sparks investigation into ‘suspicious’ death

Authorities announced Friday evening that the woman’s death was ruled a homicide, with the cause of death listed as multiple gunshot wounds.

The woman was identified as Kristi Joy Gardner, 57, of Lake Crystal.

Investigators later determined that Gardner “had a relationship” with a 64-year-old New Ulm man, according to a news release from the Blue Earth County Sheriff’s Office.

Several agencies then went to the man’s home to locate him.

Law enforcement then found the man unconscious with “an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound” just before 6 a.m. Friday, according to the news release.

The man was then taken to an intensive care unit at a Minneapolis hospital.

What we don’t know:

Law enforcement has not shared details about the circumstances that may have led to Gardner’s death.

The man’s current condition has not been released by law enforcement.

FOX 9 generally does not name suspects until they are criminally charged.

Blue Earth CountyCrime and Public Safety