A teacher and her two young children have been found shot dead in their home in what is being investigated as a murder-suicide.
The three bodies were discovered in a South Carolina home on Wednesday afternoon after police were called to perform a welfare check.
Laura Moberley, 42, and her two children, Eric, 11, and Emily, 8, were found dead with gunshot wounds when police arrived, the Horry County Coroner’s Office told local news outlets.
The coroner’s office also said that the three were believed to have been shot at around 6am Wednesday.
A police report obtained revealed that one of the three deceased individuals was listed as a suspect, while the other two were victims.
The Horry County Police Department, Horry County Fire Rescue, South Carolina Law Enforcement Division Child Fatality Unit, and Horry County Coroner’s Office continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
However, there is not believed to be any threat to the public at this time.
Laura was hired by Horry County Schools in 2018. She worked at Carolina Forest Elementary School as a Reading Los Interventionist, reports show.
Eric was a student at Ten Oaks Middle School while Emily attended the same school her mother worked at, according to the district.
Horry County Schools began classes for the new academic year on August 15.
The school district released a statement Thursday morning acknowledging the “tragic incident.”
“We are at a loss for words after learning of the tragic incident that affected an entire family with ties to Horry County Schools.
“We lift our strongest prayers for the Moberley family and for everyone who knew them. We encourage our community to keep our students and staff in their thoughts and prayers during this incredibly difficult time.
“Our district has a team of counselors made up of professionals trained to help with the needs of students, parents, and school personnel at difficult times such as this.
“Our counselors are available at the affected schools for any student or employee who may need or want assistance surrounding this tragedy.”
Horry County Police shared a similar statement on Thursday acknowledging the deaths.
“Our community is hurting today, and that is undeniable,” the statement reads.
“We ask that you be kind to one another — you may not know who has been impacted by this tragedy.”
While the investigation surrounding the deaths continues, more is learned about the 42-year-old mother of two.
A Facebook post on Laura Moberley’s page revealed she created monogrammed items and did embroidery before she began teaching full time.
“I would love to go back to full time with embroidery and travel to shows again. It was amazing!!,” Laura had commented to someone.