http://www.cnn.com/2008/C...index.html

LOUISVILLE, Kentucky (AP) -- A woman was shot to death and her two school-age daughters fatally stabbed Monday in an apparent murder-suicide, officials said.

A family member stopping by the house found the scene just before 7:30 p.m. EDT and called police, Louisville Metro Police spokeswoman Alicia Smiley said.

Smiley said investigators believe the woman killed her daughters then shot herself.

Jefferson County Deputy Coroner Bob Jones identified the mother as Hope Orwick, 35, who he said died of a gunshot wound to the head. The girls were 9-year-old Emily Orwick and 8-year-old Lindsey Orwick, Jones said.

He said both girls died of stab wounds but could not say how many times they were stabbed pending an autopsy scheduled for Tuesday.

Two chaplains were at the scene in Kentucky on Monday night, and Smiley said 15 or so family members gathered there. Police talked to the relatives to see whether they could help explain what may have led to the deaths, she said.

Woman recounts hostage ordeal
Neighbor Mechelle Rockey, 48, told The Courier-Journal newspaper that she has lived across the street from the family for about six months. She said the two girls often played outside.

"They were the sweetest little girls," Rockey said. "They were cute as a button."

Neighborhood children were distraught over the girls' deaths, Rockey said.




I am so tired of reading stories about parents killing their children. Children in today's world are treated like possessions and it is sickening. Who can you trust?

not everyone should have children.

alas, religious influences (ex: i won't use birth control because god wants a child created) and lack of education (ex: if i take a cold bath after sex i won't get pregnant) can result in the accidental conception of a child.

a lot of tims these parents are not able to take care of themselves. they still have a lot of growing up to do. they aren't capable of raising a child effectively.

we have a lot of damaged people on the planet because of this. meanwhile the extinction rate for plants and animals is off the charts. humankind IS the next extinction event. and it's happening around us, right now.

XxAxX said:

So true.

Children have always been treated this way, in fact once upon a time they used to be treated even worse and it was perfectly socially acceptable.

JustErin said:

True. Compared to some cultures that thrived in the past, children have it easy in today's world. I still don't understand the killing though. If you are going to ultimately commit suicide, just do that and don't lay a finger on your children.

The deaths could have nothing to do with the mother having children. She may have been mentally unbalanced for any number of reasons.