The mother and her three children who were murdered in their Maryland home by their father have been named.
According to authorities, Tara Devina Ricker Milligan, 37, and Marcus Edward Milligan, 39, were shot dead inside their Elk Mills home on Friday morning.
Then, before turning the pistol on himself, he reportedly killed his three children, Teresa Milligan, 14, Nora Milligan, 11, and Finn Milligan, 8.
At about 9.20 am, police said they got a call stating that a lady and two children had been shot and killed. It’s unclear whether Marcus was the man in question.
The five family members were discovered dead from gunshot wounds in the garage, on the first and second floors of the house in the suburban cul-de-sac, and when authorities got on the scene approximately 10 minutes later.
Then inside the garage, next to Marcus’ corpse, detectives discovered a firearm.
The catastrophe occurs exactly three years and one week after Marcus and Tara’s youngest son, Conor, passed away from paediatric cancer.
On September 3, she posted a picture of herself holding him on Facebook with the caption, “Somehow it’s been three complete years since we had to say goodbye to Conor.”
Even if it were only for a heartbeat, what wouldn’t I give for another flawless moment like this one?
It is still unknown if Marcus’ alleged murder-suicide of his family and the anniversary of their son’s death are connected.
The deaths of the family are still being looked into.
Following the tragic news of their deaths, friends and relatives posted memories of the Milligans on Facebook.
Our hearts are broken, Aislinn Ricker Mellor, Tara’s sister, posted on Friday.
She declared that Teresa, Nora, and Finn deserved to mature. We are also in mourning for Tara’s spouse, Marc.
Mental health is both very essential and challenging to manage and comprehend.
While we grieve for them here on Earth, we know they are at peace and with our Savior, she said. “We know Tara is enjoying a lovely reunion with her sweet child Conor,” she said.
Alisha Minter, a family acquaintance, also said that the Milligans were the first family she and her family encountered after relocating to Maryland.
She remarked, “The brightness they and their lovely children brought in, you instantly fell in love with them.” From the church seats, I was grinning and laughing as I saw them. The highlight of our day was spending time with this family over supper and lunch.
Minter continued by stating that Conor’s cancer diagnosis coincided with her daughter’s diagnosis of a rare genetic condition.
“Tara and I spoke a lot about our children and the challenges that were ahead, but I never once imagined that this would be the end of their devoted family,” said Tara.
She said, “Tara held my hand often and I held hers. I know the reunion is a lovely one for the family.”
She then expressed regret to Marcus for the way the church had failed him during these trying times. I’m sorry you thought this was your only option.
“Tara and the kids should still be around today,” Minter said. They weren’t due this.
Marc ought to be living right now, she continued. You also didn’t deserve this.
Minter stated, “We need to do a better job of checking on one another and making sure they are OK.” “Mental illness is a crippling condition that affects the whole family,”
Please heed this advice and check in on your family, friends, and acquaintances, particularly if they become distant.
Cecil County Sheriff Scott Adams said during a press conference on Friday afternoon that “this is a horrible and devastating day for our community.”
The police sent a reverse 911 call to the neighbourhood to reassure residents that there was no danger to the public even though there had never been a history of emergency calls from the house.
Five miles from the Delaware border, in northeastern Maryland, lies the residential area of Elk Mills.
Call the National Suicide Prevention Line at 1-800-273-8255 for private help.