Authorities are investigating an apparent murder-suicide after a family of four was found dead in their home in Pennsylvania last week.
Paul Swarner, 35, Karen Swarner, 32, and their two young children were found dead in their home in Hempfield Township, Pennsylvania, on the morning of Friday, Jan. 24, according to police and a public release from the Westmoreland County Coroner’s Office.
Police believe Paul Swarner shot and killed his wife and two children before killing himself, said Trooper Steve Limani of the Pennsylvania State Police. he explained at the press conference Friday, reports WTAE.
“It’s unimaginable, unfathomable. To be honest with you, I have no words to describe how awful it is,” Limani said. “You talk about your wife, but then a 5-year-old and a 1-year-old. It’s just devastating.”
Paul and Karen Swarner and their two children were found dead in their home in an apparent murder-suicide, police said. (Karen Swarner/Facebook)
Authorities believe the last person to speak with the family had a “normal conversation” with Karen on Wednesday, Limani said, adding, “There was not, what you would consider an argument or any type of concern, fear of endangerment.”
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The next day, Paul’s parents tried to call the family in the afternoon, but there was no answer. Karen’s father then called 911 on Thursday at 11:30 p.m.
Limani noted that authorities recovered a Ruger .22 from the home, adding, “That appears to be the firearm that was used.”
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Paul and Karen Swarner and their two children were found dead in their home in an apparent murder-suicide, police said. (Karen Swarner/Facebook)
To the question about a possible motivesaid Limani, “We’re trying to see if there’s a reason. Maybe there’s a baby camera … that we’re trying to look through to see if something happened. To see if there was a trigger point or something that would lead Paul to have these, experience these think.”
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“We don’t have any history of domestic violence when it comes to state police involvement in anything [in] that particular household,” he added.
Limani said the couple had been married for about 10 years and had an “all-American family,” adding, “It looked like a loving house with pictures and all the things you’d ever think of to walk into a home and see . ”
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Paul and Karen Swarner and their two children were found dead in their home in an apparent murder-suicide, police said. (Karen Swarner/Facebook)
A journalist at the conference on Friday noted that this incident marked second murder-suicide in Westmoreland County from Christmas Day 2024.
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“Generally during the holidays we have the most problems … when it comes to mental health,” Limani said.
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“I don’t know what was going on with Paul. I don’t know why it would happen,” he added. “I hope we can find some answers.”
Authorities asked that anyone with information contact state police in Greensburg.
