A Florida mother allegedly shot her two kids before taking her own life. Officials said that the woman made an apparent murder-suicide because she lost a custody battle.
Florida Mother Allegedly Commits Murder-Suicide After Losing Custody Battle
According to Fox News' latest report, Brandy Hutchins is accused of shooting her 19-year-old daughter and 10-year-old son, Aiden.
This detail was confirmed by Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd during a press conference, which happened on Sunday, Aug. 27.
Judd said that the woman murdered her two kids based on every indication in their investigation.
He added that the mother committed suicide by shooting herself after killing her children, as reported by the Independent UK.
Grady Judd was deeply saddened by the incident, saying that the tragedy was absolutely devastating for everyone in Polk County.
"I can't imagine a more horrific set of circumstances," said the official.
Judd also shared that Brandy Hutchins had no criminal history or even indication of possible violence based on her acquired records.
This is why they were surprised by what the mother did to her kids, as well as to herself. "There was no indication that there should be any violence," said the county sheriff.
Read also: University of North Carolina Shooting: Faculty Member Fatally Shot on Campus, Suspect Under Custody
Losing the Custody Battle
Before the horrible crime, Brandy Hutchins was ordered to surrender her son to his father, who is living in Maine.
Judd stated that the mother was ordered to do this on Friday, Aug. 25, at 6:00 p.m. However, the woman didn't make an appearance for the appointment.
The sheriff said that their office was notified that the woman violated the court order. Since Brandy didn't follow the instructions, deputies decided to find Aiden.
However, the child, together with his sister, was found dead on Sunday afternoon at their mother's house in a Lake Wales home.
Grady said that although their sheriff's office usually receives thousands of court orders, they rarely see a case as violent as Brandy's murder-suicide crime.
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