In a chilling murder-suicide that has left a community in shock, a woman going through a divorce was discovered dead inside her Alabama residence, along with her two young children.
Nancy Johnson, 37, and her children, 5-year-old Mia and 2-year-old Jacob, were tragically found deceased in their home in Semmes, Alabama, on Thursday. Investigators believe that Johnson drowned her children before taking her own life.
Describing the scene as “horrific,” Semmes Police Chief Todd Freind stated in an interview with FOX10 that it was a particularly brutal case, unlike anything they had encountered before.
The investigation into this tragic incident began on Thursday when Johnson’s estranged husband, who had been living in a camper behind the residence, notified the police after discovering the bodies.
The husband has been ruled out as a suspect, according to the sheriff.
Sheriff Burch stated, “He has been fully cooperative, and we have verified his whereabouts and statements. We urge people to refrain from making baseless accusations on social media.”
According to investigators, the husband found the lifeless bodies of his children on the sofa, covered with a blanket. Both children had been drowned, and the older child also had lacerations on her neck. Johnson had ended her own life by hanging herself. Burch revealed that Johnson had a history of mental health issues.
The case initially caused uncertainty as investigators could not determine whether it was a murder-suicide or a triple homicide.
Burch explained that Johnson had inflicted injuries on her wrist and neck around the same time she drowned her children. Additionally, she had made comments to her neighbors shortly before her death, indicating that they should suspect her husband if anything were to happen to her.
The day prior to the tragedy, Johnson had left her neighbors a purple suitcase containing a note hinting at something happening to her, as well as a small amount of cash, clothing, and her phone.
According to reports from FOX10, the husband had previously been arrested for domestic violence after he broke into the home and attacked Johnson in an attempt to take the children.
Court documents also revealed that a Department of Human Resources worker had expressed concerns about Johnson’s mental health and its impact on the children’s safety.
Despite attempts at counseling and mediation, the couple’s relationship deteriorated further, leading to a protection-from-abuse order granted to Johnson last month. The husband subsequently filed for divorce, and joint custody of the children was awarded to both parents earlier this week.
In a tragic turn of events, the judge ordered the parents to alternate living in the camper parked behind the residence, while one parent stayed in the house with the children.
If you or someone you know is in need of assistance, please contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). For mental health support, call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org. Resources outside of the U.S. can be found through the International Association for Suicide Prevention.
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