3 dead in Delaware murder-suicide; 3 kids found safe in same home: cops

Three people are dead after a suspected murder-suicide incident at a central Delaware home Monday evening, authorities said. Three children were also found in the residence, but they were “physically unharmed.”

State troopers were dispatched to a home in Magnolia, just south of Dover, around 6:30 p.m. following reports of gunfire, the Delaware State Police said Tuesday morning in a news release.

Upon arrival, officers located a female victim, 38, in the front yard. The woman was found suffering “from multiple gunshot wounds.” Despite life-saving measures attempted by first responders, the victim was pronounced dead at the scene.

When officers with the Delaware State Police Special Operations Response Team entered the residence, they found a 43-year-old Magnolia man who was “also fatally wounded by gunfire.”

A third person, a 49-year-old Magnolia man referred to as the suspect by state police, was also located inside the residence. The man was also dead by an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.

“Preliminary findings suggest the suspect contacted a family member, confessed to shooting his wife and her new boyfriend, and expressed an intent to kill himself,” authorities said.

Three unharmed children were also found in the residence, according to police. Their ages or their relationship with the three adults weren’t immediately clear.

The incident is being investigated by the Delaware State Police Homicide Unit. Anyone with information is urged to call Detective M. Csapo at 302-741-2729, or send a private Facebook message to the Delaware State Police. Those who wish to remain anonymous can call Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-847-3333 or submit a tip online.

If you or someone you know is going through a crisis or contemplating suicide,  call or text the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or visit 988lifeline.org to chat with a counselor.