A pregnant mother and her two-year-old son were found dead in a home in a small Idaho town, with the police suspecting it to be a case of murder-suicide. 

Law enforcement in Wallace, Idaho say the victims have been identified as Elizabeth Lawley, 33, who was in her sixth month of pregnancy, and her toddler son. Both were found to have suffered from fatal gunshot wounds.

On Wednesday, May 17, police received reports about the deceased bodies discovered in a room of the home owned by Lawley’s father. He is reported to have returned home around 6 pm, assuming that his daughter and grandchild were napping in a separate room. The devastating reality surfaced when he went to check on them a few hours later and discovered their bodies.

Sheriff Holly Lindsey, based on the preliminary inquiry, indicated that Lawley appears to have inflicted the fatal shot on her child before turning the gun on herself. Sheriff’s deputies, along with other officers, remained at the crime scene from 8:30 pm well into the early morning hours, meticulously searching the premises and processing the evidence.

Public information officer for the Sheriff’s office, Captain Jeff Lee, validated that the accumulated evidence supports the murder-suicide theory. He also said that Lawley’s father is not under suspicion in the ongoing investigation.

As the probe continues, law enforcement awaits comprehensive evidence analysis, including the forthcoming medical examiner’s report.