On Thursday morning, a family of four was found shot to death in their home south of downtown New Orleans, in what appears to be a murder-suicide that authorities believe may have been planned by either one or both parents.
Jefferson Parish Sheriff Joseph Lopinto III told reporters that the family was discovered in a home in Harvey after a man placed a call to 911 around 7:50 a.m. and informed the dispatcher that police would find four bodies at the home.
The parents were in one of the bedrooms, the caller said. It was not said where the other two victims, a 20 year old man and a 14 year old boy, were.
The family’s names have not been released as authorities attempt to locate and notify next of kin, but Lopinto said that the father was a former police officer. He went on to say that the 20 year old appeared to be the son of the woman and the stepson of the man. A sheriff’s office spokesperson said Thursday they are still working to confirm the biological parents of the younger boy.
Lopinto added that “the house is pretty deplorable inside istself, but there’s some notes along with weapons that indicate it looks like it’s going to be some type of murder-suicide, either by one of by two.” He also said that the family appeared to be going through financial difficulties, bordering on a “destitute situation.”
It was also reported that there was “more than one weapon accessible,” according to Lopinto, but it has not been reported what kind or how many may have been used.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, call 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. You can also call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255, text HOME to 741741 or visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for additional resources.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence or the threat of domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline for help at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233), or go to www.thehotline.org for anonymous, confidential online chats, available in English and Spanish. Individual states often have their own domestic violence hotlines as well.
Advocates at the National Domestic Violence Hotline field calls from both survivors of domestic violence as well as individuals who are concerned that they may be abusive toward their partners.