Murder-suicide eyed in death of Pa. family of five, including tot with new heart
SINKING SPRING, Pennsylvania - A Pennsylvania couple who were featured in news stories about their difficulties getting medication for their youngest daughter who had a heart transplant were found shot to death in their home along with their three children.
Prosecutor John Adams says an apparent "murder/suicide" note was found in the family's Sinking Spring home Saturday. Police found a handgun near one of the adults. They didn't say who they believe was the shooter.
Officials say the parents had had "domestic issues." Police had gone to the home to check on the family after a call from a concerned relative who said the mom did not show up for a pre-arranged lunch date.
The victims were identified as 40-year-old Mark Short Sr., 33-year-old Megan Short; 8-year-old Lianna, 5-year-old Mark Jr., and 2-year-old Willow.
#BerksCo DA: 5 victims of murder-suicide are Mark & Megan Short & three kids, Liana, Mark and Willow (📷: M. Short) pic.twitter.com/fcLo6xfPoC
— Anita Oh (@anita_oh) August 7, 2016
Willow had undergone a heart transplant as a baby. Her family had been featured in articles in The Reading Eagle in 2014 and The New York Times in 2015 about her condition and the family's difficulties obtaining anti-rejection medication for her.
Neighbors who spoke with reporters from the Reading Eagle expressed shock over the incident saying they never suspected there were any issues with the family.
CBS Philadelphia reports that upon arrival at the scene, officers from the Sinking Spring Borough and Spring Township Police Departments attempted to make contact with the occupants of 51 Winding Brook Drive. After no one answered the door, officers had to make forcible entry into the home.
Once inside the home, officers discovered the family's deceased bodies and a deceased dog in the living room area of the residence. A handgun was discovered near one of the deceased adults.