'Done out of love:' Minnesota couple found dead had plan to go together after each diagnosed with cancer

DETROIT LAKES, Minn. — Steve and Stacy Stearns had just celebrated their 21st wedding anniversary last week.

This week their family and friends are grieving.

The couple and their two dogs were found dead inside their rural Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, home Tuesday morning, Sept. 27. The medical examiner ruled 49-year-old Stacy Stearns' death a homicide.

45-year-old Steve Stearns' death was ruled a suicide.

"They're lovable people, they are big and lovable, and when they hug you, you felt warm and secure," explained Tammy Lawrence who camped with the couple at the Shell Lake Resort.

That love defined their marriage. Love for each other that made other couples jealous.

"They said it all the time, always giving each other a kiss or a pat on the rear, always loving each other," said Lawrence.

The couple was unable to have kids. Instead they had two four-legged fur babies.

There was Baby. And there was Goliath who weighed 150 pounds.

"We had a birthday party for him, and he had his own porterhouse steak," explained Lawrence referring to Goliath.

While the couple had done a lot of celebrating recently the couple was silently grieving.

"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," explained Lawrence.

Steve had recently been diagnosed with lung cancer that was too far along to treat. Stacy was battling stomach cancer.

"They said what kind of life would it be in and out of the hospital with chemo, its not a life," said Lawrence.

Tammy says she was one of two friends who Steve confided in with a dark secret, one the couple's family did not know.

"They've always had a pact that we will go together," said Lawrence.

Lawrence says Steve told her there was no time frame, and on Saturday they talked about him living until his birthday next month. But his health would rapidly decline over the next 48 hours.

Then all of a sudden Goliath who had his own health issues could no longer walk.

"It wasn't supposed to be yesterday, I knew it was coming, there was no set date," said Lawrence.

Tuesday morning the couple posted to their shared Facebook page; "To our loved ones. We chose to leave this world as we lived in it. In love and together. Our only regret is the sorrow to our loved ones. Remember the laughter and happiness We love you. Goodbye."

The post also included a short will. Lawrence says it was posted one minute before the couple called 911.

"He's not a murderer, this was done out love. It's what they both wanted. They wanted to go together with their dogs," said Lawrence.

Family and friends of Steve and Stacey Stearns are asking people not to remember the way they died, but to live and love life the way they did.

"Steve's words, we've had a good life, we've had a good run, and they were in love, and they will love each other through eternity," said Lawrence.

The couple left their Gazebo to the resort.

Clothes and dishes left behind at the resort will be donated to the Detroit Lakes crisis center.

Funeral arrangements have not been finalized.