Florida Murder-Suicide: Wife Kills Two Children After ‘Prior Dispute’ With Husband

A Florida woman on Wednesday killed her two young children before shooting herself following an argument with her husband.

Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco did not release the names of the woman and children, but he revealed the two boys were 9 months old and 3 years old.

During a news conference on Thursday, Nocco revealed the bodies were discovered by the father of the children after he returned to the family’s Land O’ Lakes home. The Pasco County Sheriff’s Office arrived on the scene just before 6 p.m. ET after receiving a call from the father.

Pasco County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit Sergeant Michael Rosa revealed the murder-suicide took place following a “prior dispute” with the husband and appeared to suggest the woman suffered from “mental health illness.”

While addressing the press, Nocco discussed the current mental health crisis.

“A little vagueness, but I think you can connect it all together. Couples argue sometimes... so maybe some arguments may have led to people being upset,” he said.

Nocco also noted the importance of removing the stigma surrounding mental health so those suffering can get the help they need.

“The tragedies that we saw last night emphasize the fact that we gotta keep speaking,” Nocco said.

“We gotta keep speaking louder and louder and louder until it gets through everybody out there to realize that we are in a mental health crisis.”

Nocco revealed the incident had a major impact on the officers who worked the crime scene. “It can’t be normal to go to a situation where a mother kills her kids,” he said.

Along with offering the family services through Victim Advocates, officers will be provided with support through other outlets, including the Critical Incident Stress Management team.

The murder-suicide is still under investigation by the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office. The father of the children is reportedly cooperating with authorities.