In a devastating event, a family of four was found deceased in their Pima, Arizona home, in what law enforcement officials suspect to be a case of murder-suicide. The victims were identified as Justice Jones, 31, her two children, Kyle, 10, and Tyme, 8, and her father, Duane Michael Jones, 64. The grim discovery was made on October 16 during a welfare check conducted by local police.
The Pima Police Department reported that Duane Jones was found with the weapon still in his possession. This detail was confirmed by The Gila Herald, a local news outlet. The home was promptly sealed off for an investigation that involved not only the Pima police but also law enforcement from the neighboring towns of Safford and Thatcher, as well as the Graham County Sheriff’s Office.
Breana Flores, a relative of the victims, spoke to Arizona’s Family, a Phoenix-based news outlet, to identify the victims and provide more information about the events leading up to the tragic incident. Flores expressed her hope that the victims were asleep when the incident occurred, sparing them any fear or trauma.
Flores also revealed that there were no apparent signs that Duane Jones was struggling with mental health issues prior to the incident. However, she acknowledged that it’s likely he was, given the nature of the crime. “Obviously we’re assuming [he was], because anybody of sane mind, this isn’t something that you do,” she said.
Justice Jones had posted a cryptic message on Facebook the night before the family was found dead, according to Flores. The post simply read “Good night” accompanied by an unusual emoji. Flores admitted she didn’t see the post until after the incident, but it suggested that something was amiss.
The bodies of the four family members are set to undergo autopsies at the Pima County Office of the Medical Examiner in Tucson. In the wake of the tragedy, Flores has initiated a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds for the family, including the children’s father, Phillip Oates. A separate GoFundMe campaign has also been started by Oates’ family.