Authorities believe that a family of four, who were described as a “all-American” family, committed a murder-suicide in their Pennsylvania home. The family was found dead in their house, and officials are calling the incident “unthinkable.”
According to the Pennsylvania State Police, Paul Swarner, 35, his wife, Karen Swarner, 32, and their two young children, Evelyn, 5, and Connor, 1, were found at their house in Ruffsdale on Thursday night. They were located by Karen’s father after family members had been unable to reach them.
According to State Trooper Steve Limani, who spoke at a press conference on Friday, investigators suspect that Paul Swarner shot and killed his wife, who he had been married to for ten years, and their two children before shooting himself.
“It’s unthinkable. It’s unfathomable,” Limani stated.
The bodies of all four family members were discovered in the same room, and a Ruger 22 handgun, which authorities think was used by the father of two to kill his family and himself, was located at the site.
“I don’t know what was going on with Paul. I don’t know why it would have happened,” according to the trooper.
“I hope we’re able to find some answers. It’s extremely, extremely sad. I don’t know. I don’t know what’s worse.”
Limani stated that the couple had communicated with their family members on Wednesdays, and that “for all intents and purposes, there was not what you would consider strife or any type of concern or fear of endangerment or anything like that.”
“It was a normal conversation,” Limani stated.
Before the terrible murder-suicide, police disclosed that they had not discovered any criminal history or records of domestic violence episodes involving Paul and Karen.
Limani stated, “They seem like they had very successful jobs,” and went on to say that it appeared to be a “very loving household.”
“Their home was the all-American home. There were toys for the children.”
South Carolina: 43 Research Monkeys That Escaped Facility Now Back in Custody
According to Limani, the officials would do “everything they can to get answers to the family.” Investigators are also collaborating with the Westmoreland County Coroner’s Office to determine the timeline of events surrounding the incident.
Dick Shawley, a neighbor of the Swarner family, stated that he was not informed of any events at the residence until the police descended upon the peaceful area.
Shawley spoke and stated, “I feel so bad,” while trying to keep from crying.
“I wasn’t family, but I tried to help as much as I could and I didn’t bother them. But if they needed help, I was there.”
Authorities Investigating Animal Cruelty After 15 Dead Cats Found in Ingham County
The distraught neighbor revealed that he “played Santa” for the family’s two kids this past Christmas and handed them presents.
“They were always jumping around and happy,” he stated. “I’ll never get it out of my mind. Such devastation. Such preciousness life.”
