Reports: Mom Kills 2 Kids, Husband in Michigan

Reports: Mom Kills 2 Kids, Husband in Michigan
A stock photo shows police tape (Scott Olson/Getty Images)
Jack Phillips
2/23/2018
Updated:
2/23/2018

A Michigan woman killed her entire family in suburban Detroit, according to reports.

Lauren Stuart, 45, an aspiring model, shot and killed her son, daughter, and husband before turning the gun on herself, the Detroit Free Press reported. Their bodies were discovered a week ago in Keego Harbor, located 20 miles from Detroit.
Daniel Stuart, her 47-year-old husband, was data solutions architect for the University of Michigan’s Center for Integrative Research in Critical Care, MLive reported. Steven Stuart, 27, and Bethany Stuart, 24, were also found dead.

“Dan was an extraordinarily talented individual and highly valued team member who was making very important contributions,” Dr. Kevin Ward, who is the center executive director, said in a statement. “Despite his immense talent, he was very humble and was always excited that his contributions may one day help save lives. He will be sorely missed.”

People magazine reported that relatives of the family asked for a welfare check on Friday, Feb. 23. Then, police found the bodies. The family’s dog was also killed.

Longtime friend Joyce Taylor told the Free Press that she and others think that an incident from five years ago might have factored in her crime. The family had been part of a local Jehovah’s Witness congregation, but according to Taylor, the church shunned them five years ago.
“She worshiped Danny. Danny worshiped her. They were like hand in glove,” Taylor said, according to People magazine. “But she was very concerned about Dan. He was prone to depression and she was always worried about him.”

Officials haven’t released a motive in the shooting.

“[Stuart] was in emotional distress,” Taylor said. “She felt alone. I was her lifeline.”

A neighbor described the family as quiet, saying that Lauren would borrow tools on occasion. “You don’t know your neighbors like you maybe should,” she told the Free Press.

If you or someone you know is showing signs that they might be suicide, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available 800-273-TALK. You can also text the Crisis Text Line at 741741.

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Jack Phillips is a breaking news reporter with 15 years experience who started as a local New York City reporter. Having joined The Epoch Times' news team in 2009, Jack was born and raised near Modesto in California's Central Valley. Follow him on X: https://twitter.com/jackphillips5
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