Debra Denison, Conn. grandma, killed her two grandchildren then herself, police say

By: Crimesider Staff
Topics: Daily Blotter

Debra Denison, seen above, is believed to have murdered her two grandsons, ages two and six months, before killing herself on Feb. 26, 2013 in Preston, Conn.

/ Conn. State Police via CBS Connecticut

(CBS/AP) PRESTON, Conn. - Connecticut state police are calling the shooting deaths of a woman and her two young grandchildren a double murder-suicide.

State police spokesman Lt. J. Paul Vance says 47-year-old Debra Denison was armed when she left her Stonington, Conn. home to pick up the children from their daycare in North Stonington Tuesday afternoon. Vance says Denison had permission to pick up the children.

State police issued an Amber Alert Tuesday evening for Denison, 2-year-old Alton Perry and his 6-month-old brother, Ashton. The three bodies were found in a parked car in nearby Preston Tuesday night.

CBS Connecticut reports police confirmed they located a suicide note and a revolver at the scene. The chief medical examiner's office will be performing autopsies.

Denison's family said she suffered from bipolar disorder and had a history of mental health problems.

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by Zardoz333 February 27, 2013 4:25 PM EST

What in God's name is going on with all these nutcases with guns? Is it something in the air or water? Has this kind of thing always happened and the media is just zooming in on it due to the anti-gun sentiment recently? Ironically the number of violent crimes has been decreasing steadily in the last decade according to FBI statistics and yet the media somehow still finds plenty fodder for the press. Peace already.

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by PicklesFactory February 27, 2013 8:04 PM EST: The CDC report based on statistics state suicides rates are five times higher of a risk if a gun is available and murder in the family 300-percent higher. Those are statistics the NRA paid to silence.


by guccilizzy1 February 27, 2013 3:18 PM EST: I agree with michelez01. Why did she have to kill those innocent babies? And, why was she allowed access to the kids without supervision if she was mentally ill? So incredibly sad.; Reply to this comment


by Cactus_Wren February 27, 2013 3:14 PM EST: "Denison's family said she suffered from bipolar disorder and had a history of mental health problems."

Yet she had permission to be alone with her grandbabies. When will people learn to put their kids first, even if it means hurting someone's feelings? Leaving kids with a mentally unstable adult can be worse than leaving them alone.; Reply to this comment


by cepasqua February 27, 2013 2:51 PM EST: Very Very sad. I can't understand how a grandma of all people could do this to two children who trusted her. Unbelievable.; Reply to this comment