Four Children Orphaned After Father Murders Estranged Wife Before Killing Himself

Four children have been orphaned after their father murdered his estranged wife before killing himself in an apparent murder-suicide in Georgia on Wednesday, April 13.

On Wednesday, just before 1:00 p.m., authorities received a 911 call from a minor alerting them that she had just overheard her father threatening to shoot her mother to death. The officers immediately responded to the informant's home in Waco, Georgia. As law enforcement rushed to the address, however, the girl reported hearing multiple shots outside of the residence, Law & Crime reported.

Haralson County Sheriff’s deputies subsequently gained entry to the home on Beaver Run Road. By that time, however, the couple was already dead. The officers discovered the bodies of Johnny Franklin Brown II, 36, and his wife, 35-year-old Christa Lee Brown, at the scene with multiple gunshot wounds on their bodies.

According to the authorities, the deceased husband seemingly shot and killed his wife before turning the gun on himself and taking his own life.

The Haralson County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) described the location as “a contained crime scene.” Meanwhile, the state’s Department of Family and Children Service “was made aware” of the minor children’s familial status. Following this, two of Johnny's and Christa's four children, who are minors, were taken in by a former foster parent.

The two minors were reportedly inside of the house at the time of the apparent murder-suicide, WJCL News reported.

"Murder-suicides are one of the hardest for us to work in that there are no real answers as to the why," said Sheriff Stacy Williams. "Tonight, two families are grieving, and four children have lost both parents in this horrible traumatic incident. Please join me in praying for these children and these families."

“We ask that you keep these families in your thoughts and prayers over the next few days as they deal with this loss,” the HCSO added.

Officers did not immediately reveal further details about Johnny's motive behind the killing.

The murder-suicide at Waco is at least the fourth such incident in the Peach State this year. Previously, in March, one murder-suicide was reported in Chatham County, Georgia. Another murder-suicide reportedly occurred in Cherokee County, Georgia days later. Meanwhile, just a little over a week later, yet another murder-suicide was reported in Fulton County, Georgia.