Wife spoke about husband’s homicidal talk two days before killings

Reason for family murder-suicide remains a mystery

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Police in Oulu have confirmed that the mother of a family whose members were killed in an apparent murder-suicide had told colleagues at the school where she worked that her husband had admitted to contemplating such an act two days before the killings.
     The husband had reportedly pondered out loud to his wife on the possibility of suicide, or of killing all the members of the family and himself.
     Police say that the husband, a 43-year-old teacher, used a shotgun to kill his 39-year-old wife, also a teacher, as well as their 11-year-old son and 9-year-old daughter, and finally himself at their home a week ago Saturday.
     
Before confiding in her colleagues about what her husband had said, the wife had sworn them to secrecy. After relating the story, she added quickly that she felt that there was no longer in any reason for concern.
     The woman did not mention any particular reason for the threatening comments of her husband. The colleagues had understood that there was no longer any danger in the home.
     Nevertheless, the colleagues repeatedly asked the woman if she was sure that she was coping with her children. She had assured them that everything was all right.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Family of four die in murder-suicide, Oulu neighbourhood in shock (20.10.2008)

Helsingin Sanomat