Mother, 2 Kids Found Dead in Illinois Murder-Suicide

Jack Phillips
By Jack Phillips
August 30, 2017US News
share
Mother, 2 Kids Found Dead in Illinois Murder-Suicide

 

An Illinois mother fatally shot her 5-year-old twin daughters in her home, and they were later found by her husband.

“If she did this, I can’t imagine the terror in her heart,” neighbor Joan Paul told the Chicago Tribune. “Those kids were her life. She was an excellent mother.”

“We’re all in shock. The girls were outside playing yesterday morning. Everything seemed fine,” neighbor Scott Holladay said, CBS Chicago reported.

Celisa Henning died of a gunshot wound to the head, while her two daughters, Makayla and Addison were found dead nearby, autopsy reports have showed.

Henning, 41, reportedly suffered from health problems following a car accident, Norma Henning, the grandmother of the twins, told the Daily Chronicle. “She was just at her wit’s end,” she told the newspaper.

“There were no previous indicators that there was cause for concern from our end,” Police Chief Brian Benton said, reported ABC. “I’m not sure what prompted this, but again, it’s a terrible tragedy and we are very sensitive to the concerns of the family.”

The two children had just started kindergarten at St. Paul the Apostle school, CBS reported.

“The principal feels the loss deeply,” Joliet Archdiocese spokesman Edward Flavin told CBS. “They are huddled together, they’ve had many meetings with the students.”

A memorial was set up for the children outside their home in Joliet.

“The community needs to mourn too,” said Greg Zanis, who set up the memorial, according to the Tribune.

Steven Henning’s father, Dennis, told the paper that Celisa was “disturbed,” adding that his daughter-in-law “was a troubled girl.”

Regarding his son, Henning said, “He’s grieving.”

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is open 24 hours, 7 days a week at: 1-800-273-8255 (English and Spanish).

There is a lot of information available on the organization’s website, including for veterans, young adults, and bully victims.

Suicide Risk Factors

The Suicide Prevention Lifeline website identifies the following suicide risk factors. “Risk factors are characteristics that make it more likely that an individual will consider, attempt, or die by suicide,” the website states.

  • Mental disorders, particularly mood disorders, schizophrenia, anxiety disorders and certain personality disorders
  • Alcohol and other substance use disorders
  • Hopelessness
  • Impulsive and/or aggressive tendencies
  • History of trauma or abuse
  • Major physical illnesses
  • Previous suicide attempt
  • Family history of suicide
  • Job or financial loss
  • Loss of relationship
  • Easy access to lethal means
  • Local clusters of suicide
  • Lack of social support and sense of isolation
  • Stigma associated with asking for help
  • Lack of health care, especially mental health and substance abuse treatment
  • Cultural and religious beliefs, such as the belief that suicide is a noble resolution of a personal dilemma
  • Exposure to others who have died by suicide (in real life or via the media and Internet)

From The Epoch Times

ntd newsletter icon
Sign up for NTD Daily
What you need to know, summarized in one email.
Stay informed with accurate news you can trust.
By registering for the newsletter, you agree to the Privacy Policy.
Comments