Co-Founders of Luxury Fashion Brand Bryn Walker Found Dead in Possible Murder-Suicide

By the Editorial Team · Tuesday, October 6, 2026

Bryan Walker and Michelle Min, co-founders of the Bryn Walker fashion brand, were found dead outside their Oakland Hills home following reports of gunfire, with police investigating the circumstances of their deaths. Family members suggest Walker, who had recently faced severe financial losses and mental health struggles, may have killed Min before taking his own life, though the investigation remains open.

The co-founders of the luxury women’s fashion brand Bryn Walker were found dead Friday morning outside their home in the Oakland Hills neighborhood, authorities said. The couple, Bryan Walker, 61, and Michelle Min, 63, were discovered after police responded to reports of gunshots near the area straddling Berkeley and Oakland, close to the University of California, Berkeley campus.

Oakland police, who are leading the investigation, recovered a firearm at the scene but have not officially determined whether the deaths were the result of a murder-suicide or identified who discharged the weapon. The investigation remains ongoing.

Paul Min, brother of Michelle Min, expressed his belief that Walker killed his sister before taking his own life. Paul Min, 58, described the couple as having been married for more than three decades and said he is struggling to reconcile the man he knew with the man he believes was responsible. According to Paul, Walker had recently suffered significant financial losses tied to high-risk investments, which left him depressed and possibly suicidal.

Paul Min recounted a recent conversation in which Walker suggested the three of them—himself, his sister, and Walker—“end things.” While Min and his sister found the idea alarming, they did not fear for their own safety but rather worried about Walker’s mental health. The plan had been to have Walker institutionalized that very day. Paul Min found a note referencing possible treatment facilities and speculated that Walker may have discovered the plan, though the exact trigger for the deaths is unclear.

Michelle Min reportedly remained relatively untroubled by their financial setbacks, having long expressed a desire to simplify her life and relocate from the Bay Area. The couple also owned a miniature Australian shepherd named Pip, who was present at the time of their deaths and is now in the care of a friend.

The Min family immigrated from South Korea to the United States in 1977, settling initially near Kansas City. Paul Min described Michelle as a maternal figure during their childhood, as their parents held multiple jobs and were often absent. Michelle Min and Walker, who met in the 1980s in Kansas City, eventually moved to California and jointly built the Bryn Walker fashion brand.

Starting with a small clothing store in Berkeley that featured items from various vendors, Michelle Min began designing her own apparel and accessories, which eventually became the store’s sole inventory. The business expanded to include multiple company-owned stores and a wholesale operation serving approximately a thousand boutiques nationwide, according to the Bryn Walker website.

Paul Min also noted concern that after police left, the house was left unsecured, leading to attempts to break in. He is currently staying at the residence. The Oakland Police Department has not yet provided additional comments on the ongoing investigation.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.