A quiet morning in Washington turned into an unimaginable tragedy for one family, leaving a father grieving the loss of his loved ones. What began as an uneasy feeling before work ended in a heartbreaking discovery just hours later.
Washington Family Found Dead in Apparent Shooting
A father in Washington state returned home on Tuesday afternoon to find his wife, adult son, and family dog dead inside their home. All three were found with what authorities believe to be gunshot wounds.
According to the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were called to a home in Vaughn, located on the Key Peninsula, just before 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, January 27.
What the Father Reported
Officials said the father had gone to work earlier that morning but felt something was wrong. He decided to return home later in the day. When he arrived, he found his wife, his 24-year-old son, and their dog deceased inside a bedroom.
Deputy Carly Cappetto, spokesperson for the sheriff’s office, shared details of the incident in a social media post and later spoke with local media.
What Deputies Found at the Scene
When deputies entered the home, they discovered:
- A woman and her 24-year-old son inside a bedroom
- The family dog also inside the same room
- All three with apparent gunshot wounds
- A firearm recovered from the bedroom
Local outlets including KING 5, KOMO News, and Tacoma News Tribune reported that investigators believe the firearm found may be connected to the deaths.
No Threat to the Public
Authorities have said there are no outstanding suspects and believe the incident was contained within the home. This means there is currently no danger to the public.
Deputy Cappetto also confirmed that the husband has been fully cooperative with investigators as they work to understand exactly what happened.
Background About the Adult Son
Officials shared that the couple lived at the home full-time. Their adult son, who did not normally live there, had been allowed to stay overnight on Monday, January 26.
According to Cappetto, the son had been dealing with:
- Addiction-related struggles
- Mental health challenges
The father reportedly felt uneasy about the situation when he left for work that morning.
A Tragic Loss for One Family
Speaking to the media, Cappetto described the situation as deeply heartbreaking.
She explained that the father not only lost his wife but also his son and the family dog in one devastating event. The emotional toll of such a loss is difficult to put into words.
