Following murder-suicide in Orlando, family of 5 dead – including 2 young children

While conducting a wellness check on Tuesday afternoon, Orlando police officers discovered a family dead inside their home. Today, authorities identified all five victims of the apparent murder-suicide.

Police reported that 45-year-old Donovan Ramírez murdered his wife, Stephanie Ramírez, and his three children: 22-year-old Alyssa, 11-year-old Sunny, and 7-year-old Shelby. After murdering his family, Donovan Ramírez committed suicide.

Officers stated that a gun was found at the scene of the crime, but the Orange-Osceola Medical Examiner’s office has not announced the cause of death.

Orlando Police Department’s media team stated, “Investigators worked overnight to gather as much information as possible. As this is still an active and ongoing investigation, no further updates will be provided at this time.” Authorities concluded that more information would be released soon.

Neighborhood residents were shocked to hear about the tragedy yesterday.

Neighbor Heather Collins stated, “I have this sickening sadness.” She mentioned that the family had only moved into the southeast Orlando home a couple of months ago. “It’s a nightmare receiving an end like that, especially with children.”

Lauren Ruiz, a young woman who grew up in the neighborhood, said she was shocked when she learned what had happened. “I was hoping they got it wrong. This kind of thing never happens here,” Ruiz noted.

However, the Ramírez tragedy is not the only murder-suicide that occurred this summer.

According to the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office, Shane Shearer killed two family friends before killing himself at a Winter Park home in April.

Another murder-suicide case took place in June involving Carlos Manuel Soto. Before committing suicide, Soto killed his wife, her mother, and her 15-year-old son.

Orange County Commissioner Maribel Gomez Cordero said, “It’s important that leaders come out and begin to understand there’s something going on with the mental health of the community ... We don’t want this to be repeated.”