Catherine Murch, St. Louis mom, killed herself and her 2 kids in murder-suicide, police say
(CBS/AP) GLENDALE, Mo. - Investigators in Missouri say they've determined suburban St. Louis mother Catherine Murch killed her two young children and herself in the family's Glendale home last week.
Friday's announcement followed autopsies and several days of investigation by the St. Louis Area Major Case Squad.
Lt. Tim Fagan said at a news conference that 42-year-old Murch had a "mental health history" and bought a gun online a few days before the shootings.
Her husband, Mitchell Murch II, reported the shootings Monday. He told police he was reading when he heard shots.
Police found Catherine Murch in the kitchen, 10-year-old Mitchell Murch III elsewhere on the first floor and 8-year-old Mary Claire Murch on the second floor of the home in the well-to-do suburb. Catherine Murch was pronounced dead at the scene, and the two children were pronounced dead at hospitals.
More on Crimesider
August 1, 2012 - Police back away from murder-suicide theory in death of St. Louis mom Catherine Murch and her 2 kids
July 31, 2012 - Missouri man reading hears gunshot, finds wife and 2 kids dead