Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
World
Sean McPolin

Six-year-old girl among three family members killed in horror camping attack

A six-year-old girl has been named as one of the three family members killed while on a camping trip.

Tyler Schmidt and Sarah Schmidt, both 42, and their daughter Lula, 6, were found dead at Maquoketa Caves State Park on Friday, July 22, at around 6.23am.

The park is now an active crime scene and has been closed.

Following a search of the area, the body of suspect Anthony Orlando Sherwin, 23, was found with what appeared to be self-inflicted gun wounds.

The incident is being treated as a triple homicide by Jackson County Sheriff's Office and Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI).

Anthony Orlando Sherwin was found dead, with suspected gunshot wounds, in the nearby area (via REUTERS)

Autopsies for the Cedar Falls family will be conducted by The Iowa Office of the State Medical Examiner, as well as that of Sherwin.

A statement from the DCI said: "At about 6:23am on Friday morning, the Jackson County Sheriff's Office and DCI were notified of a triple homicide at the Maquoketa Caves State Park campground.

"Officers located three deceased bodies. Officers later found that a camper was unaccounted for.

"Following a search of the area, officers found the deceased body of Anthony Orlando Sherwin, 23, west of the park. Sherwin appears to have suffered a self-inflicted gunshot wound, and there is no danger to the public.

"At this time, the Maquoketa Caves State Park is an active crime scene and is closed until further notice."

Law enforcement have thanked the public for their assistance with the investigation and their concern for the Schmidt family.

Investigators do not believe there is an on-going risk to the public.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.