Louisiana family dead in apparent murder-suicide

Four members of the same Louisiana family were found shot dead in an apparent murder-suicide Thursday, authorities said.

A husband and wife, and their two sons, a 20-year-old and 13-year-old, were discovered dead inside their Harvey home Thursday morning outside of New Orleans, said Jefferson Parish Sheriff Joseph Lopinto, according to The Times-Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate.

The four deaths come on the heels of another suspected murder-suicide in the same parish, authorities said.

Lopinto said the father in Thursday’s shooting, a former law enforcement officer from years ago, appeared to call 911 that morning and said something similar to “I can’t live like this any more,” according to the newspaper.

When deputies reached the home, they found “notes along with weapons” that led investigators to believe the awful scene was “some type of murder-suicide,” Lopinto said.

Lopinto said evidence so far indicates the parents might have planned together to kill the two sons before shooting themselves, The Times-Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate reported.

The probe is ongoing.

The four family members were identified as Tim Ragas, 43, Joanna Ragas, 45, older brother Eric Thornblom and younger son Timothy Ragas, who had special needs, WWL reported.

Relatives told the television station that medical issues, depression and financial troubles led to the fatal — and tragic outcome. Tim Ragas was reportedly the stepfather to the older brother.

The sheriff said the conditions inside the home were “deplorable” and called the incident a “real unfortunate scene.”

The other alleged murder-suicide in the same area happened overnight when two brothers were killed from gunfire Wednesday.

The Jefferson Parish Coroner’s Office identified the brothers as 21-year-old Syril Boudoin and 17-year-old Syrian Boudoin.

Investigators believe one brother killed the other before shooting himself dead.

Jefferson Parish has less than 500,000 people in population. 

With Post wires