Alabama Family of 4 Found Dead in Suspected Murder-Suicide, Police Say

Authorities are investigating a suspected murder-suicide after four family members, including two children, were discovered dead inside their southwestern Alabama home.

Investigators believe Kenneth Smith Jr., 44, fatally shot his wife Larrica Gaines Smith, 41, and their children, Kristian, 14, and Kensley, 11, before turning the gun on himself, Capt. Daniel Steelman of the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office confirmed in an email to USA TODAY on Aug. 17. He noted the investigation remains ongoing.

“It’s as tragic as it comes,”
— Baldwin County Sheriff Anthony Lowery, during a press conference broadcast by WALA (Fox Mobile affiliate)

Discovery at the Home

The Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement that officers found four people dead from apparent gunshot wounds inside the Daphne home on Aug. 14.

At the news conference, Sheriff Lowery suggested a possible domestic issue:

“There seems like there might have been some kind of domestic issue that might have escalated to this.”

He explained that deputies responded after receiving a welfare call.

Community Reaction

The tragedy deeply impacted the local church and neighborhood.

Pastor Trey Taylor of City Hope Church, where the family attended, said in an Aug. 14 statement:

“This has shaken us deeply, affecting countless people within our church and our community.”

Local outlet WKRG reported that the Smiths had lived in the Daphne community for at least 20 years. The couple had celebrated their wedding anniversary just two weeks before the shooting. A vigil took place at the home on Aug. 14 , according to WALA.