Authorities ID victims, update timeline in Vadnais Lake murder-suicide

Authorities have identified the three children found in a Vadnais Heights lake and their parents and updated the timeline of events in the tragic incident that unfolded Friday.

Tuesday, the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office said 3-year-old Estella Zoo Siab Lee, 4-year-old Quadrillion T. Lee and 5-year-old Phoenix Lee drowned in Vadnais Lake. Their deaths have been ruled homicides.

Their parents were identified as 27-year-old Yee Lee and 23-year-old Molly Cheng. They both died by suicide.

The tragedy began at around 10:30 a.m. on July 1 when Cheng said her husband had shot himself. Social workers were dispatched to help Cheng and her kids but by 4 p.m., a relative called 911 saying Cheng was going to kill her kids and herself.

The sheriff’s office says Maplewood police issued a statewide alert to locate Cheng and the kids and started tracking her cellphone. At 5:45 p.m., they tracked it to Vadnais-Sucker Lake Park. Just after 6 p.m., deputies found their vehicle and 20 minutes later found several pairs of kids’ shoes and the vehicle’s keys on the east shore of the lake. A rescue search then began.

At around 7:30 p.m., Quadrillion’s body was recovered; Phoenix’s body was found just after midnight; Cheng and Estella were both found Saturday morning.

The sheriff’s office is continuing to investigate the triple murder-suicide while Maplewood police are investigating Yee Lee’s death.

“Our hearts go out the family, friends, and community impacted by this terrible tragedy,” Undersheriff Mike Martin said. “The Sheriff’s Office is continuing to investigate the circumstances of this incident to provide clarity and closure to the surviving family members.”

RELATED: Hmong leaders discuss tragedy in Vadnais Heights, resources for community

Hmong community leaders told 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS on Monday that the community is in shock.

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Here is a list of suicide prevention and mental health resources:

• U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
• Minnesota Department of Health’s Suicide Prevention Program
• Minnesota Department of Human Service’s adult mental health resources
  • DHS map and list of statewide adult mental health crisis response phone numbers
  • DHS map and list of statewide children’s mental health crisis response phone numbers
• The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) – Minnesota
• Veterans Crisis Line at 1-800-273-8255, Press 1
• Minnesota Farm and Rural Mental Health Helpline at 833-600-2670, ext. 1
• Crisis Phone Line – In the Twin Cities metro area, call **CRISIS (**274747) from a cellphone to talk to a team of professionals who can help.
• Crisis Text Line – Text MN to 741741 to connect with a trained crisis counselor to receive free, 24/7 crisis support via text message.

If you believe someone is at risk of suicide, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services suggests you:

• Ask questions about whether the individual is having suicidal thoughts.
• Call the U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
• Seek help from a medical or mental health professional. If it is an emergency situation, take the person to a hospital.
• Remove any objects from a person’s home that could be potentially used in a suicide.
• Do not leave the person alone, if possible, until help is available.

The U.S. National Suicide Prevention organization has also compiled a list of resources to help with coping during the COVID-19 pandemic.