Five dead in apparent quadruple murder-suicide at two Minnesota homes

Three adults and two juveniles were found dead in two homes in Minnesota. Police believe it’s a quadruple murder-suicide.

According to a press release from the Duluth Police Department, officers responded to a home on Tacony Street in Duluth around 2:00 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 7, after one of the resident’s co-workers reported that she had not shown up for work. Erin Abramson, 47, and her 15-year-old son, Jacob Nefe, were found dead inside from gunshot wounds, police said.

Authorities quickly identified 46-year-old Anthony Nephey — Abramson’s ex and Jacob’s father — as the suspect and set up surveillance on his home, located in the 4400 block of West 6th Street, about one mile from the crime scene.

This was announced by Duluth Police Chief Mike Cheynova press conference on Friday, November 8 that police used a drone to enter the home where they found the bodies of Anthony’s ex-wife, Kathryn Nephew, 45, and his 7-year-old son, Oliver Nephew. They also died from gunshot wounds, police said.

Anthony was also found dead in the second home “of what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound,” according to police.

Authorities have not yet confirmed the motive for the shooting.

Cheynova explained that Anthony had a history of mental health issues and that police had been called to the West 6th Street home several times in the past. He also added that investigators are still using cell phone data to determine when the shooting happened.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends and loved ones of the four victims of this tragic incident,” the chief said. “We also want to extend our condolences to the Duluth community and the greater community as this is a senseless and tragic event.”

The police said that there is no threat to the public, and the investigation is ongoing.

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Minnesota Public Radio said Duluth Public Schools, where Oliver was a first-grader, had sent a notification to parents about the incident and was providing students with crisis resources.

“It’s not something that happens very often in our community,” Duluth Mayor Roger Reinert told Minnesota Public Radio. “It’s been a few years since we’ve seen something like this, and we’re going to be sad, but we’re also going to make sure we support these families and our public safety team.”

If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or go to thehotline.org. All calls are free and confidential. The hotline is open 24 hours a day and works in over 170 languages.