Two former teachers from Sauk Rapids-Rice Public Schools were found dead in what the Morrison County Sheriff’s Office has ruled a murder-suicide. Crystal Marschel, 32, of Pierz, Minnesota, and her boyfriend John Gans, 34, of Rice, Minnesota, were discovered deceased at a residence on River Valley Road on July 18, 2025.
Deputies and Pierz Police officers responded to the residence at 633 River Valley Road at approximately 10:36 a.m. Friday, after receiving a request to perform a welfare check. The welfare check was initiated because Marschel had failed to appear in court on July 17 for a driving while impaired charge, according to court records.
Upon entering the home, law enforcement discovered both individuals dead from gunshot wounds. A .40 caliber handgun was recovered from the scene. The bodies were transported to the Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office for autopsies.
According to the medical examiner’s findings, Marschel died from a gunshot wound to the head, and her death was determined to be a homicide. Gans’ death was ruled a suicide. The sheriff’s office stated, “The deaths of the two residents in the city of Pierz, MN have been ruled a murder/suicide.”
Both victims were employed as educators at Sauk Rapids-Rice Public Schools. Gans taught mathematics at the middle school from August 26, 2013, to May 31, 2024. Marschel taught physical education at the same middle school from February 16, 2019, to May 31, 2024. Superintendent Brad Bergstrom confirmed their employment dates but indicated the district could not disclose how their respective employments ended.
Gans, a former St. John’s University football player, was going through divorce proceedings at the time of his death. Court records show he failed to appear for a July 18 hearing related to his divorce case. Meanwhile, Marschel’s DWI case was dismissed on July 22 due to her death.
The incident has left Marschel’s two young children, ages three and five, without their mother. A GoFundMe page has been established to support the children and their father, Austen. The fundraiser describes Marschel as a warm, vibrant person who loved fiercely and put her children at the center of her world.
The fundraising page indicates that Marschel’s life was tragically cut short due to domestic violence, leaving an unfillable void in the lives of those who knew her. Her obituary noted that she had a passion for teaching, with her favorite expression as a mentor being “good job.”
The investigation was conducted with assistance from the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. Authorities have determined this was an isolated incident with no known threat to public safety. Pierz is located approximately 32 miles north of downtown St. Cloud and 22 miles north of Rice.
Sheriff Shawn Larsen has requested continued respect and privacy for the families involved during this difficult time. The sheriff’s office included mental health resources in their statement, encouraging anyone experiencing a crisis to reach out to local mental health resources or contact the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988.
The case remains closed as authorities have concluded their investigation into the murder-suicide. Both individuals had been dating at the time of their deaths, and the incident occurred at Marschel’s residence in Pierz.
The GoFundMe campaign aims to support the surviving children through childcare, counseling, and emotional support, basic living expenses as their father takes time off to care for them, and memorial costs to honor Marschel’s life. The fundraiser emphasizes that Austen is now left to grieve while stepping into the role of a single parent.
This incident has impacted the Sauk Rapids-Rice school community, where both individuals had served as educators for multiple years. The school district has not provided additional details about the circumstances surrounding the end of their employment in May 2024.
