An “all-American” family of four was found dead in their Pennsylvania home in what officials suspect to be an “unthinkable” murder-suicide.
Pennsylvania State Police said Paul Swarner, 35, his wife, Karen Swarner, 32, and their two young Evelyn, 5, and Connor, 1, were discovered by Karen’s father Thursday night at their Ruffsdale home after family members hadn’t been able to get in contact with them, according to WTAE.
Investigators believe Paul Swarner fatally shot his wife of 10 years and their two children before turning the gun on himself, State Trooper Steve Limani said in a press conference Friday.
“It’s unthinkable. It’s unfathomable,” Limani said.
All four of the family members were found in the same room, and a Ruger 22 handgun — the weapon investigators believe was used by the father of two to kill his family and self — was recovered from the scene.
“I don’t know what was going on with Paul. I don’t know why it would have happened,” the trooper said.
“I hope we’re able to find some answers. It’s extremely, extremely sad. I don’t know. I don’t know what’s worse.”
Limani shared that family members had spoken with the couple on Wednesdays, and for “all intents and purposes, there was not what you would consider strife or any type of concern or fear of endangerment or anything like that.”
“It was a normal conversation,” Limani said.
Police revealed that they had not found that Paul and Karen had any criminal history or records of domestic violence incidents before the tragic murder-suicide.
“They seem like they had very successful jobs,” Limani shared, adding that it looked like a “very loving household.”
“Their home was the all-American home. There were toys for the children.”
Limani said the officials will do “everything they can to get answers to the family” and that investigators are working with the Westmoreland County Coroner’s Office to figure out a timeline of when the tragedy took place.
A neighbor of the Swarner family, Dick Shawley, said that he wasn’t alerted of anything at the home until police were swarming the quiet neighborhood.
“I feel so bad,” Shawley said, holding back tears while talking with WTAE.
“I wasn’t family, but I tried to help as much as I could and I didn’t bother them. But if they needed help, I was there.”
The heartbroken neighbor shared that he gave the family’s two children gifts this past Christmas and “played Santa” for them.
“They were always jumping around and happy,” he said. “I’ll never get it out of my mind. Such devastation. Such preciousness life.”
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255) or text Crisis Text Line at 741741.
