A teenage girl with special needs and her mother have been found dead in what police believe to be a “murder suicide”.
Gabrielle, a 16-year-old with Down Syndrome, and her mum Dawna Roe were found shot dead in a car at a ranch near Drewsey in Oregon.
The pair, from Caldwell in Idaho, had told friends and family that they were going camping before going missing on June 30.
The Daily Mail reports that staff at the Oregon ranch found the pair in a 2004 Toyota minivan.
Dawna was reportedly being investigated by Child Protection Service in the States and quit her job before taking off.
Authorities launched a desperate search for the pair following their “out of character” disappearance but it ultimately ended in tragedy when their bodies were found.
“Preliminary information shows it appears to be a murder suicide by gunshot,” said Caldwell Police Chief Rex Ingram to KTVB, in quotes reported by the Daily Mail.
The Grant County Sheriff's Office said “no other individuals are being sought at this time”, with toxicology reports and autopsies still being processed.
Another of Dawna's daughters, Mariah Villesca, wrote: “Gabby has a genuine and pure soul. She has always emanated contagious joy everywhere that she went, and all who met our girl will forever remember her palpable and unfiltered love.
“My mother battled with and eventually succumbed to mental illness, and Gabby was a victim of that illness as well.
“My mom had six children and Gabrielle was the favourite. So many people thought this would never happen, because of how much my mom loved Gabby. So many people didn't listen to how severe things were.”
A GoFundMe set up to help the family with funeral costs has managed to raise $11,000 so far.
Samaritans (116 123) operates a 24-hour service available every day of the year. If you prefer to write down how you’re feeling, or if you’re worried about being overheard on the phone, you can email Samaritans at jo@samaritans.org.
