ST. PAUL — A Minnesota man who fatally stabbed his parents 16 years ago is expected to be released from a state hospital soon.

A state panel has approved the release of Richard Happ from Minnesota Security Hospital in St. Peter to a residential facility in West St. Paul. That could happen as soon as next week. The 46-year-old Happ fatally stabbed Richard and Angela Happ with a butcher knife in their Waconia home in March 1999. He also tried to kill his brother.

Happ was diagnosed with schizophrenia and was committed as mentally ill and dangerous. State social service officials said Happ has made progress and has been allowed to leave the hospital unsupervised for four hours every day.

Carver Count Attorney Mark Metz and Happ’s family have repeatedly opposed his release.