Murder-Suicide Pact: Cancer-Stricken Minnesota Couple Die After Posting Goodbye Message On Facebook

A Minnesota couple with cancer died as part of a pact after posting a goodbye message on Facebook.

Deputies with the Detroit Lakes Police Department reached their residence in the Lakeview Township near Detroit Lakes Tuesday at around 9.09 a.m. ET, and found the couple -- Steven Alton Stearns, 45, and Stacy Lynn Stearns, 49, -- died along with their two dogs, Detroit Lakes Tribune reported.

The Ramsey County Medical Examiner's Office ruled the cause of death of Stacey as a homicide, adding Steven killed himself, the outlet reported.

According to a statement by Becker County Sheriff's Office, Stacy was shot dead by her husband, who then turned the gun on himself.

The couple's family friend told the cops Steven was struck down by terminal lung cancer, while Stacey was battling stomach cancer. One of the couple's dogs also had ailing health, Crime Online reported.

Steven had confided in a friend about their plan, but didn't give an exact date. Steven also made the friend swear he won't reveal it to anyone.

The friend, Tammy Lawrence, told The Forum the couple was fed up with frequent visits to the hospital for chemotherapy sessions, and felt there was no point living this life.

"They said, 'What kind of life would it be in and out of the hospital with chemo? It's not a life," Lawrence recalled Steve as saying. "They've always had a pact that, 'We will go together.'"

"He made me promise not to say anything to anybody. Stacy did not want him to tell me, but he said, 'I can't look in your eyes and lie to you anymore, and somebody has to be able to tell people why we are going to do what we were going to do,'" Lawrence went on to add.

A day before the incident, the couple updated their photos on Facebook saying goodbye and urging their friends to "remember the laughter and happiness."