Oakland police are investigating the deaths of Bryan Walker, 61, and Michelle Min, 63, co-founders of the luxury women’s fashion brand Bryn Walker, after they were found outside their Oakland Hills home on Friday morning. Authorities have not ruled out murder-suicide as a possible cause but have not made a formal determination.
Police recovered a firearm at the scene and responded to reports of gunshots heard at 10:43 a.m. near the affluent neighborhood adjacent to the UC Berkeley campus. The home spans both Oakland and Berkeley jurisdictions. Surveillance video reviewed by CBS captured a gunshot followed by audible distress, a second gunshot, and then silence. Oakland police have not released further details about the investigation.
Paul Min, 58, brother of Michelle Min, stated that his sister and Bryan Walker had been married for over 30 years. Min alleged that Walker, who suffered significant financial losses in recent months, fatally shot his wife before taking his own life. According to Min, Walker had lost millions of dollars through risky financial moves, leaving him depressed and possibly suicidal. Min described Walker as having recently suggested a meeting with him, Michelle Min, and himself, though the conversation’s context remains unclear.
Walker’s alleged financial struggles included secretly borrowing against properties and making dangerous investments, according to Min. He claimed Walker’s losses exceeded $100 million, triggering a psychological decline. Min stated that Walker’s family had grown concerned about his mental state and planned to have him institutionalized, though the intervention did not occur before the shootings. Walker reportedly sent a message to a nearby friend reading, ‘Call 911!’ just before the incident, but the friend arrived too late.
Oakland police have not confirmed whether the deaths constitute a murder-suicide or identified a suspect. The investigation remains active, with no further updates provided as of this report.