NEED TO KNOW
- Heather Thompson, 32, allegedly killed her two sons, her grandmother and herself in a suspected murder-suicide
- The four family members were found dead of gunshot wounds in a Waverly, Tenn., home after a welfare check
- “Every second of today I wish I could just wake up,” Biah Thompson, the two boys’ grieving father, wrote on Facebook
A 32-year-old woman allegedly shot three family members to death and killed herself in a suspected murder-suicide in Tennessee.
Heather Thompson was among the four people found dead of gunshot wounds in a Waverly home on Jan. 2 when the Humphreys County Sheriff’s Office conducted a welfare check, according to NBC affiliate WSMV.
The other victims were identified as Arius Thompson, 4, Isaiah Johnson, 13, and Evelyn Johnson, 88. Sheriff Chris Davis said the investigation suggests that Heather killed the three victims before taking her own life, per WSMV.
ABC affiliate WKRN reported the boys were Heather’s sons and Evelyn was her grandmother. The four were longtime residents in Humphreys County.
Heather Thompson/Facebook
“Here again, small town America. Here again, I know the families. So, we’re going to do right by them,” Davis said during a press conference.
Investigators do not believe the bodies were in the home for an extended period of time before being discovered, per WKRN.
GoFundMe
Davis said, according to WKRN, that Heather was estranged from her sons’ father. Investigators reportedly found no history of domestic violence or mental health-related calls.
The sheriff’s office confirmed the incident in a Jan. 2 Facebook post, writing, “We will be on scene for an undetermined amount of time. Please avoid the area as it’s congested. We do not have any active threats to our area related to this case.”
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is assisting with the investigation.
PEOPLE reached out to the Humphreys County Sheriff’s Office on Jan. 4, but didn’t immediately hear back.
GoFundMe
Isaiah and Arius’ father, Biah Thompson, set up a GoFundMe “to bring my boys back home to New Mexico from Tennessee.” So far, he has raised more than $11,000.
Sharing the donation page on Facebook, he wrote, “As a father it hurt and shattered my soul to hear my sons, Arius (Ari) and Isaiah have been taken from me and are no longer with us. They were just babies.”
“Every second of today I wish I could just wake up,” the grieving dad added.
Michelle Dahmous, a loved one of Heather, also created a GoFundMe.
“I’m asking you to please help me lay these beautiful souls to rest,” she wrote in the description. “I know money is tight especially after the holidays for everyone so anything you can help donate is so deeply appreciated.”
GoFundMe
WKRN received a statement from the director of Humphreys County Schools, where Isaiah attended.
“We are deeply saddened by the news. Out of respect for the family and the ongoing investigation, the school system will not be providing any comment,” the director wrote. “What I can share is that our thoughts are with the student’s family, friends, and the entire community during this incredibly painful time.”
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The school will have counselors on site on Jan. 5.
“Our priority is ensuring that everyone has access to help as they process this news and any feelings that arise,” the statement continued.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health challenges, emotional distress, substance use problems, or just needs to talk, call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org 24/7.
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