Indiana Mother Amanda Bennett Fatally Shoots Three Children and Herself, Say Police

AUSTIN, Ind. (CBS) Police believe that a 30-year-old southern Indiana woman found dead inside her home shot her three children, as well as the family dog, before setting fire to the home and killing herself.

Indiana State Police said Monday that preliminary autopsy reports show that Amanda Bennett and her three children, Jasmine, 14, Katelynn, 9, and Ryan, 4, died Friday as a result of gun shot wounds to the head. An official cause of death was pending the completion of an autopsy.

Amanda and Katelynn Bennett also suffered from smoke inhalation, reports CBS affiliate WISH.

Police told WDRB that they are calling the incident "a tragic case of murder/suicide that claimed three innocent lives along with the suspect of the murders, Amanda Bennett."

Investigators say an Austin, Ind.  police officer discovered the bodies around 4:20 Friday after a concerned family member called and asked if someone could check on the residents.

When police entered, they noticed that parts of the home had been burnt and after a quick scan found the four lifeless bodies.

According to WRTV, Bennett and the father of her three children were in the process of getting a divorce.