A heartbroken mother has spoken out after her husband killed their two children in an apparent murder-suicide.
Anna DeMase Lynch took to Facebook to reflect on the tragedy after her husband, Patrick Lynch, tossed their son and daughter, James, 8, and Caroline, 6, from a five-story parking garage in Mt. Lebanon, Pennsylvania, before jumping to his death on Tuesday, November 3.
“My husband made the irreversible decision to kill our two children and himself this evening,” she wrote via Facebook on Tuesday.
She explained that Patrick, 42, had been laid off from his job in August and became depressed soon after. Anna said she encouraged him to see a therapist, and he had an appointment booked for the day after the apparent murder-suicide on Wednesday, November 4.
“Before the media jumps to conclusions, he was a wonderful dad,” she wrote.
Anna then encouraged others to “check in on your loved ones,” adding, “I never thought this is how our story would end.”
The mourning mother concluded the post by saying farewell to her children and sharing their favorite things. “Rest in peace my angels. James may you ski all the bowls and Caroline may you eat all the skittles and play in your own castle made of slime. Best friends forever,” she wrote.
Us previously reported that police in Mt. Lebanon responded to reports that three bodies were found in the street near the garage around 4:15 p.m. on Tuesday.
First responders performed life-saving measures on Patrick, James and Caroline after they were found in the road, and all three were declared dead at the scene.
Following the incident, Mt. Lebanon Police Chief Jason Haberman noted that the tragedy would cause “a significant amount of trauma for the community.”
“Everyone in the Mt. Lebanon community will know someone involved in this incident,” Haberman said.
A GoFundMe page has since been set up to help Anna cover funeral expenses for her children and husband.
“These 2 beautiful, perfect children lost their lives in the most unimaginable way. No mother should ever have to experience this kind of pain,” the page organizer Gina Pugliano wrote. “Especially Anna, who devoted her life to her family and to the community. To know her is to love her.”
She continued, “Nothing I write here will bring her babies back and give her any sense of justice or peace. If we, her family and friends, can ease the financial burden of having to bury her children and her husband, it would be a relief.”
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org.
