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

Three adults and two minors were found dead in two homes in Minnesota. Police believe it was a quadruple murder-suicide.

According to a news release from the Duluth Police Department, officers arrived at a home in the 6000 block of Tacony Street in Duluth around 2 p.m. on Thursday, November 7, after the resident's co-worker reported that she had not shown up for work. Erin Abramson, 47, and her 15-year-old son Jacob Nephew were found dead inside from gunshot wounds, according to police.

Authorities quickly identified 46-year-old Anthony Nephew — Abramson's ex and Jacob's father — as a suspect and conducted surveillance at his home in the 4400 block of West 6th Street, about a mile from the original crime scene.

Duluth Police Chief Mike Ceynowa said at a news conference Friday, Nov. 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 7th son -year-old son Oliver Nephew found. They also died from gunshot wounds, police said.

According to police, Anthony was also found dead in the second home, “apparently from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.”

Authorities have not yet confirmed the motive for the shootings.

Ceynowa explained that Anthony has suffered from mental health issues in the past and that police have been called to the West 6th Street home several times in the past. He also added that investigators were still using cell phone data to determine when the shootings occurred.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family, friends and loved ones of the four victims of this tragic incident,” the police chief said. “We would also like to extend our condolences to the Duluth community and the Superior community as this is a senseless and tragic event.”

Police said there was no danger to the public and the investigation was ongoing.

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Minnesota Public Radio reported that public schools in Duluth — where Oliver was a first-grader — sent a message to parents about the incident and are providing crisis resources to students.

“This doesn’t happen 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 will grieve, but we will also make sure we support these families and support our public safety team.”

If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or visit thehotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available around the clock in more than 170 languages.