Tattoo Artist Mom Drowns Herself and 3 Children after Husband's Suicide

Police completed the search for the body of the tattoo artist mom from Minnesota along with her three children in Lake Vadnais in Minnesota on Saturday afternoon. Authorities believed the mom drowned herself and her three children at the lake after her husband committed suicide at their home on Friday.

On Friday morning, authorities received a call about a father who committed suicide at the family's Maplewood home. While searching for the wife and the kids, the family led authorities to Lake Vadnais, with investigators eventually tracing the mom's car through her mobile phone. They found the car and the children's shoes near the lake.

Authorities believed that the mom drowned herself and her three children, who were all below five years of age.

The names of the deceased family members have yet to be released, but family and friends disclosed that the mother was Moly Cheng, a tattoo and beauty artist. The father was named only Kos by his sister, Pa Lee, Daily Mail reports.

Recovering the bodies of the mother and children from Lake Vadnais

At around 4:00 PM on July 1, authorities were called to Lake Vadnais as there was a report of a possible suicidal mother headed to the lake with her three children. Investigators believe the children went into the water with their mother in an apparent murder-suicide attempt.

According to NBC, a team of more than 20 law enforcers combed the lake to search for the missing mom and kids. The body of the first child was recovered at 7:30 PM on Friday. Authorities found the body of the second child at around midnight. At around 10:40 AM on Saturday, they found the mother's body and, 20 minutes after, the body of the third child.

Authorities used boats with sonar, visual searches, and the Minnesota State Patrol helicopter. Non-profit organizations Wings of Hope and Northstar Search also helped recover the bodies.

Loss of three innocent lives

On Friday morning, the sister of the father who committed suicide wrote on Facebook that she was bidding her nicest brother her "forever goodbye." She asked why he was making her so mad and sad at the moment and apologized for being 20 minutes late from saving him, saying that if only she had driven faster, she could have saved his life.

According to commander Eric Brandt, in charge of the sheriff's office water patrol, this is one of the most difficult cases he had in his 31 years of service.

As per Twin Cities Pioneer Press, Vadnais Heights Mayor Heidi Gunderson, the city council, and city staff expressed their thoughts and prayers for the family, the responding officers, and firefighters.

In a statement, they said there are no words to express the sadness "associated with the loss of three innocent lives."

Undersheriff Mike Martin said that those involved in the search and rescue operations would be given opportunities for counseling and stress debriefings.

Dan Reidenberg, executive director of SAVE (Suicide Awareness Voices of Education) in Bloomington, urged people to refrain from speculating or rushing to judgment.