A quiet Florida neighborhood was rocked by tragedy after a mother and her two children were found dead inside their Lakewood Ranch home in what authorities believe was a murder-suicide.
Deputies with the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office responded to the home around 8:30 p.m. on Feb. 26 for a welfare check. According to officials, the children’s father — who was in South America at the time — requested the check after he was unable to reach his wife and kids.
After making observations from outside the property, deputies entered the home. Inside, they discovered a 14-year-old boy and an 11-year-old girl dead in separate rooms. Their 44-year-old mother was also found deceased in another part of the house.
Authorities say there is no indication that anyone else was involved.
“We are very confident all the parties that were involved in this are accounted for,” said Randy Warren of the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office. “There was no one else who entered the home or left the scene.”
He described the scene as violent and heartbreaking.
“As tragic as this is, it is really unimaginable that two children were killed in their home by a parent, and then she proceeded to take her own life,” Warren said.
The names of the mother and children have not yet been released publicly. A medical examiner is still working to determine the official causes of death.
Investigators say there were no previous calls for service at the home. The family had reportedly moved to Florida from Missouri about three years ago, and law enforcement had not responded to any prior incidents at the address.
“There’s really nothing there that would have indicated this would have happened,” Warren added.
The community where the family lived, The Lake Club at Lakewood Ranch, issued a statement acknowledging the tragedy.
“We are aware of a tragic incident that occurred within The Lake Club,” the statement read. “At this time, the matter remains under investigation by the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office. We do not have additional information to provide. Our hearts are with the family and all those affected during this incredibly difficult time.”
Authorities emphasized that there is no ongoing threat to the public as the investigation continues.
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