A Pennsylvania father allegedly threw his two young children from a parking garage before jumping himself in what police are investigating as a devastating murder-suicide.
Patrick Lynch, 42, his 8-year-old son, James, and his 6-year-old daughter, Caroline, were found near the base of a parking garage in Mt. Lebanon, an affluent suburb about five miles south of downtown Pittsburgh, at approximately 4:15 p.m. Tuesday, PennLive reported.
Emergency crews performed life-saving measures, but all three were pronounced dead at the scene from injuries sustained in what the Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office described as an “apparent fall.”
“Preliminary information suggests that this incident is a murder-suicide,” the Allegheny County Police Department said.
Authorities have not disclosed what may have prompted the incident. Mt. Lebanon Police Chief Jason Haberman appeared visibly shaken while telling reporters that investigators were treating the case “not as an accident.”
“There will be a significant amount of trauma associated with this event for the community,” Haberman said.
“Everybody in the Mt. Lebanon community will know somebody involved in this incident,” he added. “We really want to send our condolences.”
A black vehicle at the parking garage had been cordoned off with police tape as investigators worked at the scene.
Officials had not immediately said how far the three family members fell.
The Mt. Lebanon School District announced that two elementary schools would be closed Wednesday in response to the tragedy.
Students at the district’s other schools may also remain home, with absences excused.
School counselors will be available to support students and staff, the district said.
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.
If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts, you can dial the 24/7 National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 988 or go to SuicidePreventionLifeline.org.