Tracking the numbers: murder-suicides devastate Ohio communities

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) - Two murder-suicide incidents in the northern Ohio region within 48 hours have shaken local communities.

Wednesday evening, two children and two men were shot and killed in Tiffin. Their mother was not physically hurt, but police said she was “clearly in a state of shock, overwhelmed, and visibly traumatized.”

You can read more about that incident here.

That same evening in Stark County, someone found an elderly couple dead in a possible murder-suicide, according to the sheriff.

According to a recent report from the Ohio Domestic Violence Network, 2025 has already been dubbed “the most lethal year” for domestic violence homicides in Ohio.

They found over one-third of domestic violence cases in our state this year involved murder-suicides.

According to research from the Violence Policy Center, “no comprehensive national database or tracking system exists” when it comes to murder suicides in the United States.

The center analyzed news reports of murder suicides and found nearly 1,200 Americans die in murder-suicides each year. They estimated there are 10 nationwide each week.

A recent study published in the National Library of Medicine examined data between 2016 and 2022 in the 30 states with complete reporting. It found about 5,700 deaths were involved in murder-suicides, an average of 820 deaths per year during that time period.

Researchers found firearms were the primary weapon used in murder-suicides about 90 percent of the time.

A suspect’s spouse, a girlfriend or boyfriend, and a child were most likely to die at their hands.

The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available 24 hours a day for anyone who needs help. It is free and confidential.

Need an investigation? Contact 19 Investigates with your request.

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