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4 people dead, including 2 children, in Westmoreland County murder-suicide

Family of four killed in Pennsylvania murder-suicide
Family of four killed in Pennsylvania murder-suicide 02:00

RUFFS DALE, Pa. (KDKA) — A father shot and killed his wife, his 5-year-old daughter and 1-year-old son before killing himself at the family's home in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania State Police said. 

State police converged on a home on Keck Lane in Ruffs Dale, which is in Hempfield Township, early Friday morning. The Westmoreland County Coroner's Office was also called to the scene and identified the victims as 35-year-old Paul Swarner, 32-year-old Karen Swarner, 5-year-old Evelyn and 1-year-old Connor.

Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Steve Limani said a family member last talked to Karen Swarner on Wednesday afternoon and "for all intents and purposes" it appeared to be a "normal conversation." But on Thursday afternoon, no one was able to reach the couple. Around 11:30 p.m. Thursday, Karen Swarner's father called 911, Limani said.  

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A family of four, including a 5-year-old and 1-year-old, are dead after an apparent murder-suicide on Keck Lane in Ruffsdale, Westmoreland County.  (Photo: KDKA)

Limani said investigators are executing a search warrant at the home, looking for answers. Limani said police recovered a handgun from the scene. 

As for a motive, Limani said investigators are trying to figure out what led up to the murder-suicide. 

"We're going to do everything we can to get answers to the family but I'm sure right now that answers aren't going to be sufficient for what they're going through," Limani said.

Limani said the couple had been married for 10 years and described them as an "all-American family." He said there had been no previous domestic violence calls that involved state police. 

"It's unthinkable, unfathomable," said Limani. "To be honest with you, I don't have the words to describe how awful it is. I mean, you're talking about your wife, but then a 5-year-old and a 1-year-old? It's just devastating."

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(Photo: Facebook)

It's the second murder-suicide in Westmoreland County since December, and it comes after another family of four was killed in North Sewickley Township, Beaver County, earlier this month. In that case, police said an 18-year-old killed his parents and brother before killing himself.

Limani acknowledged that anyone struggling with mental health shouldn't be afraid to reach out for help.

If anyone has any information that may help investigators piece together what happened, they're asked to call the Greensburg barracks at 724-832-3288. 

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