After going through a divorce, and having that divorce finalized in late October, a Texas mother took the lives of her three children, and then her own.
According to the Washington Examiner, 39-year-old Ashley Auzenne had been battling multiple illnesses over the last several months, including arthritis, lupus, anxiety, and depression. All four of the bodies were discovered with gunshot wounds that ultimately led to their deaths.
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Her three children have been identified as 11-year-old Parrish, 9-year-old Eleanor, and 7-year-old Lincoln. Authorities say their father and Auzenne’s ex-husband, Murvin Auzenne Jr., is not being looked at as a suspect after the deaths were ruled as a murder-suicide.
The family was discovered in their Deer Park, Texas home by authorities on October 29 after a relative called for a welfare check. The children’s paternal grandfather, Murvin Auzenne Sr., told KTRK that his grandchildren were kids who people enjoyed being around.
“They were kids you wanted to have around, they really were. They played well, they talked to the adults. They’re amazing children in all kinds of fantastic ways. The family has all rallied around my son, Murvin. Our focus is only on one thing: helping through this difficult time.”
A motive for the murder-suicide has not been confirmed. However, multiple media outlets are reporting that Auzenne’s divorce was finalized just a week before. Murvin Sr. said his family is doing what they can to help his son through this very difficult time.
Sadly, as the Washington Examiner reports, Auzenne’s social media profiles paint her as a staunch supporter for stricter gun laws. It’s unclear who owned the gun that was found inside the home at the same time the bodies were discovered. Deer Park Police Lieutenant Chris Brown described the weapon as “a handgun” to KPRC.
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Those who knew the family, including neighbors and parents of the children’s classmates, all share in Murvin’s grief. Both Chris Pierce and Annette Flores said learning about the murder-suicide has made them “mad” and “upset.”
Flores added, “Children are innocent, I mean, I mean, it’s just, it’s a waste, and it’s just really bad. And it makes me angry that someone would take it out on children.”