Fugitive Dad And 3 Kids Found Dead In Ga.

FBI Says Man Had Fled With His Young Son And Twin Daughters Days Earlier

(AP)  A man who sent a letter to his father indicating he was going to kill his children was found dead with the three youngsters in a wooded area on Wednesday, the FBI said.

Investigators declined to say what led them to the four bodies in a rural area about 90 miles southwest of Atlanta, how they died or whether it was a murder-suicide.

An autopsy was planned by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Muscogee County coroner Bill Thrower said.

Investigators have said they don't know what led to 28-year-old Eddie Harrington's decision to leave his Columbus home with his twin 23-month-old girls and his 3-year-old son. He reportedly lived with his girlfriend and the children.

At some point, Harrington then sent the letter to his father in the Indianapolis area "indicating he was going to kill the kids," FBI spokesman Stephen Emmett has said.

Columbus police issued a felony child endangerment warrant for Harrington. A spokesman did not return several phone calls seeking comment on Wednesday.

Federal authorities thought he had left the state and issued a warrant charging him with unlawful flight to avoid prosecution. It was not clear whether Harrington ever did.

The four had been missing since at least March 6, when authorities in Tennessee issued a child abduction alert after Harrington may have been spotted there.

Nadia Hudson, who lives across the street from Harrington, said she thought it was strange that she hadn't seen Harrington's green car in a while.

"I remember his kids, because I remember when I would bring my little boy outside to play, he would holler over to the twins," Hudson said.

Hudson, who moved into her home four months ago, said she had never spoken to Harrington.

[jetlizhan]

i can understand how someone considers and even carries out suicide, although i don''t condone it. these are hard times with prices rising and paychecks not - not to mention the millions that are unemployed. . . . but i will NEVER understand taking the innocent children too. kill yourself - fine - BUT LEAVE THE SPOUSES AND KIDS ALONE!!!

[brianbwb-2009]

Posted by Sumarongi

I understand your sentiment, I had to leave the country to find work, and my only crime was being genetically suntanned.

There is a dark humorous irony that now "White" people who were formerly middle class will know how it feels to be destitute, it will be interesting to see how they will respond to being called simply "lazy".

You are correct, anarchy is imminent, especially if we continue down our present road.

[sumarongi]

I am so sorry to see this tragedy, but hold on to your hats, it''s going to get much worse. The economy is in the pits and people are finding their backs against the wall. Some lose jobs and cannot find a means to support their dependents. Others will find a way to blame anyone else for their plight. There will be a lot of reasons. None make particular sense to anyone but the one who makes the fatal decision and then we can''t ask them. I have warned people over the internet that these days were coming, but most are blithely unaware of the extent of our societies woes and it''s effect on mental states. When you convince yourself that you have nothing left to lose, rational thought gets tossed out the window. Jobs are getting scarce, especially for people who have had any problem in their past. I know this for a fact. 35 years ago, I had a non-violent felony conviction. I bear no ill will. I did the crime and did the time. My record has been clean ever since, but I have been turned down for a lot of jobs for which I am qualified, and despite a great work record since that time. How are you supposed to ever put this type of thing behind you when you are denied the right to do anything but menial labor jobs for long periods until you find a break. Some people just get tired of trying. There is a storm coming folks. Desperation leads to actions of folly and despair.

[maedean]

How very sad that when these people take there own lives they take the children and wifes with them. What could make someone so mental that they could kill there own children ?

[ladyephesus1]

This is like everyday news now. So sad.
Poor kids didnt do a thing. Lord help this world quickly. Things are definitely not like they use to be.

[feddupp]

I am SO SORRY for this mother and all the families involved.

How utterly devastating that this man appeared to hold such hatred and bitterness in his heart that he decided to take out his vengeance in such a horrible way!!

May PEACE be with you all.