Crime
Ohio mom suspected of killing family members in murder-suicide
Detectives believe the incident was a murder-suicide based on the physical evidence, positioning of the victims’ bodies, and the preliminary autopsy
March 4, 2023 12:05pm
Updated: March 4, 2023 12:05pm
Four people were killed and another was seriously injured in a suspected case of murder-suicide in an Ohio town on Monday.
Police officers were delivering eviction papers to a home on the 110 block of Riebel Ridge Road at around 9:40 p.m. when they heard several gunshots coming from within the home, according to a press release from the Clermont County Sheriff’s Office.
After failing to make contact with anyone inside the home, they entered the home, finding five gunshot victims, the release continues.
The victims that were fatally wounded were identified as Steven Cain, 50, Theresa Cain, 46, William Felton, 74, and Ethan Cain, 13.
One victim, 20-year-old Samantha Cain, was found to be alive. She was taken to the University of Cincinnati Medical center, where she remains in critical condition.
Detectives believe the incident was a murder-suicide based on the physical evidence, positioning of the victims’ bodies, and the preliminary autopsy.
Authorities believe Theresa Cain was responsible for the shooting and believe the family’s long history of financial problems might have been the motive.
“It is tragic and unnecessary,” Sheriff Steve Leahy said. “‘What can we do to keep this from happening again?’ Well, I’m just not that sure that we can. When people are in crisis, it’s not as easy as just reaching out and saying, ‘I need help.’ They are spiraling. Nothing makes sense.
“What we see here, you can’t make sense of this. Murder is a senseless thing but then you throw in suicide and the homicide of your family. It’s all very sad. This lady had been cooperative the entire time,” he added.