Hugo, MN: Apparent Murder/Suicide In Hugo Claims Two Lives The Investigation Continues

Compiled by staff

HUGO - An investigation will continue into what is now being called a murder/suicide in Hugo in the Creekview townhome complex west of Fenway Blvd. in the southwestern portion of the city.



Photo by Deb Barnes

A grandparent arriving for babysitting duties at a townhome owned by Michael and Sarah Mitzuk at 13436 Europe Court N. discovered two bodies at about 7:45 a.m. Tuesday morning, Jan. 19.

A 34-year-old man and 32-year-old woman, who have now been identified by the Washington County Sheriff’s Office as Michael and Sarah Mitzuk, husband and wife, were found shot to death inside the home. The Mitzuks’ 4-year-old son was found unharmed in the home and was released to his grandfather, who made the 911 call. The boy is currently being cared for by relatives.

Acquaintances say that Mrs. Mitzuk was expecting another child at the time of her death.

A press release issued by the Washington County Sheriff’s Department late on Tuesday stated that deputies found one individual in an upper bedroom and the other in an upper bathroom. Both individuals had obvious signs of gunshot wounds, the report said.

According to one emergency responder, the shootings occurred in the early morning hours. A report by the St. Paul Pioneer Press said that a neighbor in the adjoining unit who shares a common wall heard two very loud shots around 2 a.m.

The WCSO is working in cooperation with the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, which was called in to assist with the investigation. Although early reports indicated the incident was being investigated as a double homicide, Sheriff Bill Hutton told The Citizen late this morning that investigators were not looking for any “persons of interest.”

The crime scene was confined to inside the residence, authorities say. The Medical Examiner has taken custody of the bodies and will complete the investigation.

The Minnesota State Patrol, the Washington County Sheriff’s Department, the Hugo Fire Department, White Bear Lake EMS, and the Forest Lake Police Department were all dispatched to the residence.

The WCSO has announced that authorities have had no other calls to the residence “that would be deemed related to this incident.”

Mike Mitzuk owns Mitzy’s Tattoo Studio in White Bear Lake, which has been open since 2002.