Family Says Financial Collapse and Mental Health Crisis Preceded Deaths of Fashion CEO Bryan Walker and Wife Michelle Min

The family of Michelle Min says a devastating financial crisis and months of worsening mental health preceded the deaths of the fashion executive and her husband, Bryan Walker, at their Oakland Hills home.

Michelle’s brother, Paul Min, said the couple had been married for more than 30 years and, to his knowledge, had not been experiencing marital problems. Instead, he claims Walker had fallen into severe emotional distress after a series of risky financial decisions left him believing he had lost more than $100 million.

Oakland police found Walker and Michelle dead from gunshot wounds Friday on a terrace connected to their home near UC Berkeley. Investigators recovered a firearm and have said they are investigating the possibility of a murder-suicide, though they have not made a final determination.

Family Says Financial Problems Escalated Rapidly

According to Paul, Michelle played the leading role in the couple’s women’s fashion company, Bryn Walker, while her husband had not been working for some time.

Paul alleged that Walker secretly borrowed against properties and made increasingly risky investments involving options and leveraged positions. By mid-September, Walker reportedly believed those decisions had wiped out more than $100 million.

The apparent losses triggered an alarming change in his behavior, Paul said. Family members became concerned that Walker might harm himself as his emotional condition deteriorated.

Michelle, meanwhile, remained focused on helping her husband and trying to repair their finances.

The family brought in an accountant from Chicago who, according to Paul, determined that their financial situation was not as catastrophic as Walker had feared. But Paul said Walker’s mental state had already deteriorated significantly.

Family Had Planned to Get Walker Treatment

Michelle Min poses with her brother Paul and a family member.courtesy of family

After attempts to help him at home failed, relatives made arrangements for Walker to receive institutional mental health treatment, Paul said.

That was expected to happen Friday.

But that morning, a friend who lived nearby reportedly received an alarming text from Walker containing just two words: “Call 911.”

The friend immediately headed toward the couple’s residence, according to Paul, but gunshots were allegedly heard before he could reach them.

Paul believes Walker shot Michelle and then himself, although police have not officially confirmed that sequence of events.

The family had previously attempted to secure firearms because of concerns about Walker’s condition, Paul said. He believes Walker nevertheless managed to obtain one.

Surveillance Recording Becomes Part of Investigation

She hired a “hotshot” accountant in Chicago who told them their situation wasn’t as bad as they believed, Paul said, but it was too late. Walker “had basically gone insane,” her family said.KTVU

Surveillance footage reviewed by CBS reportedly captured audio from around the time of the deaths.

According to the report, the first gunshot could be heard at approximately 10:43 a.m. A man could then reportedly be heard crying and screaming before another gunshot was heard a short time later.

Michelle’s family is still enduring the “complete mess” left by the horrific alleged crime. She leaves behind her brother, Paul, and sister Alexandra, 60.courtesy of family

Police also discovered what Paul described as a form of suicide note containing passcodes for Walker’s and Michelle’s phones. Paul believes the information was deliberately left behind so relatives could gain access to the devices and handle the couple’s affairs.

Authorities have not publicly confirmed all of the family’s account.

Oakland police said one firearm was recovered from the residence and that the investigation remains ongoing.

Michelle’s Family Left Searching for Answers

Paul said his sister remained devoted to Walker even as the financial and emotional crisis intensified.

Her death has left the family not only grieving but also attempting to untangle the financial situation surrounding the couple and their business. Paul said he intends to take responsibility for running the fashion company while relatives work through the aftermath.

Yet one question remains impossible for him to answer: why Michelle died too.

Paul believes the approaching plan to place Walker into treatment may have played a role in what happened, but acknowledged that he cannot know his brother-in-law’s state of mind or precisely what motivated the deaths.

For now, Oakland police continue to investigate, and authorities have not formally concluded that the deaths were a murder-suicide.