Pennsylvania murder-suicide leaves father and 2 young children dead, police say
By Michael Guise, Madeline Bartos
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MT. LEBANON, Pennsylvania (KDKA) — A father and two children died in an apparent murder-suicide in Mt. Lebanon on Tuesday, according to police. The Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the three people as 42-year-old Patrick Lynch, 8-year-old James Lynch and 6-year-old Caroline Lynch.
Mt. Lebanon Police Chief Jason Haberman said in a news conference on Tuesday that three people were found unconscious in the street near a parking garage behind the township’s municipal building on Washington Road around 4:15 p.m. They were later declared dead at the scene.
In an update on Tuesday night, the Allegheny County Police Department said preliminary information suggests it was a murder-suicide and all three had injuries from an apparent fall.
Haberman, who said investigators are “treating this incident not as an accident,” declined to share more specifics about what happened or what led up to the deaths.
“There will be a significant amount of trauma associated with this event for the community,” Haberman said.
The Mt. Lebanon Police Department said on Tuesday that there is no threat to the public.
KDKA talked to a witness who said he was going into his apartment building on Florida Avenue when he noticed a large police presence. He said he talked to a woman who had called police.
“She said she was the first on scene and saw what she saw and it’s nothing — man, you could see a horror movie, you know?” he said. “Doesn’t match this at all. I mean this is real, real sad.”
Police said the investigation is ongoing.
“Everybody in the Mt. Lebanon community will know somebody involved in this incident,” Haberman said. “We really want to send our condolences.”
In a letter to families, the Mt. Lebanon School District said Markham and Washington elementary schools will be closed on Wednesday. Children at other schools who want to stay home will have their absences excused, the district said. School counselors will be available.
Mt. Lebanon is about 5 miles south of Pittsburgh.
If you or someone you know is in emotional distress or suicidal crisis, you can reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988. You can also chat with the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline here.
For more information about mental health care resources and support, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) HelpLine can be reached Monday through Friday, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. ET, at 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) or email info@nami.org.
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