Authorities confirmed that a welfare check on Thursday night led to the discovery of a double homicide-suicide. Detectives with the Manatee County Homicide Investigation Unit announced Friday that a 44-year-old woman killed her two children, ages 11 and 14, before turning a weapon on herself.
The incident unfolded at a home located in the 8200 block of Pavia Way in Lakewood Ranch. At approximately 8:30 p.m., deputies arrived at the residence after the homeowner, who was out of town at the time, called in a request for a welfare check.
Upon arrival, deputies noticed signs prompting them to enter the house immediately. Once inside, they found the bodies of the homeowner’s wife, their 14-year-old son, and their 11-year-old daughter.
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Investigators stated that all three victims had suffered traumatic injuries.
According to the preliminary findings, the mother killed both children in separate rooms of the house before committing suicide. Monika Rubacha, 44, and her two children, Josh James, 14, and Emma James, 11.
Detectives have emphasized that they are not looking for any other suspects, noting that “there is no evidence to indicate that any other individuals were involved” and there is no ongoing threat to the community.
The District 12 Medical Examiner’s Office is currently working to determine the official cause and manner of death for all three individuals.
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