Father-of-three middle school principal, 45, found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound in a park

  • Joe Slavin, 45, was found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound in Carver Lake Park in Woodbury, Minnesota Wednesday morning  
  • The married father-of-three was the principal of Skyview Middle School 
  • His death occurred two days before classes ended for the school year  

By Ashley Collman For Dailymail.com

Published: | Updated:

Joe Slavin, 45 (pictured), was found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound in Carver Lake Park in Woodbury, Minnesota Wednesday morning 

Joe Slavin, 45 (pictured), was found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound in Carver Lake Park in Woodbury, Minnesota Wednesday morning 

A father-of three middle school principal was found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound in a Minnesota park Wednesday morning.  

According to a police report,  a visitor to Carver Lake Park in Woodbury, Minnesota found 45-year-old Joe Slavin unresponsive near his car Wednesday morning around 8:30am. He was then pronounced dead by emergency responders. 

Slavin's suicide took place two days before classes at Skyview Middle School ended for the year. Counselors were on hand to held the mourning children after the news broke. 

'This is a very difficult time for everyone that knew Mr. Slavin. The family is grateful for the outpouring of support,' Michelle Okada, a Woodbury police spokeswoman, said, according to the Star Tribune.

Slavin leaves behind a wife and three school-aged daughters. 

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A visitor to Carver Lake Park (entrance to the park above) found Slavin unresponsive around 8:30am 

A visitor to Carver Lake Park (entrance to the park above) found Slavin unresponsive around 8:30am 

Slavin was a married father of three. Slavin pictured on the right with his wife, left, and their three daughters 

Slavin was a married father of three. Slavin pictured on the right with his wife, left, and their three daughters 

Her was set to start a new job as director of communications and technology innovation for his Oakdale school district on July 1. He had been working in the district since 1995. 

'At this point, a lot of people are supporting each other as they digest the news,' Superintendent Christine Osorio said Thursday. 'It is such a loss, we were so excited for him to join our team.'  

Slavin also served on the school board for neighboring District 833.  

'It's something that I'd been thinking about for a while just because of my career in education, my passion for public education and wanting the ability to serve in the South Washington County Schools,' Slavin said in a 2015 interview when he joined the board.  

Slavin had degrees in education from Winona State University.    

Slavin was the principal at Skyview Middle School (above), but was taking a new job at the district on July 1

Slavin was the principal at Skyview Middle School (above), but was taking a new job at the district on July 1

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