Nisswa, MN: Sheriff: Couple found dead in Nisswa area house fire died in murder-suicide

NISSWA, Minn. - Authorities say the Nisswa area couple whose bodies were found in their burning home last month died in a murder-suicide.

Crow Wing County Sheriff Todd Dahl said Tuesday that the death of 57-year-old Kathleen Ponsness was ruled a homicide and the death of 56-year-old Kenneth Ponsness a suicide. That's according to preliminary reports from the Ramsey County medical examiner.

Dahl would not say how the couple died or how the fire started. He tells the Brainerd Dispatch ( http://bit.ly/KLY1Yv) the investigation continues and final results from the medical examiner could take four to six weeks

Firefighters were called to the burning house on April 30 and found the couple's bodies. Both the one-story house and unattached garage were on fire.