Post by Graveyardbride on Jun 7, 2014 12:13:17 GMT -5
Young children find parents' dead bodies after apparent murder-suicide
BRISTOL, Conn. – A bitter breakup ended in a bloodbath Wednesday when an National Guard member allegedly killed his wife before turning the gun on himself while their three young children were inside the family's home, authorities said.
Kyla Ryng, 27, filed for divorce from her husband Alexander, 26, just five days before their dead bodies were found with bullet holes in their picture-perfect suburban home, according to local media. They had been married for nearly six years.
Neighbors called police about 7:15 a.m. Wednesday after two of their three just-orphaned children found the bodies and ran for help, reported local station WFSB. One neighbor, Richard Nicotera, was shocked by the tragedy and said gun violence seemed to have become a common part of American life. "We've lived here, the family, over 70 years and never seen anything like this, but I guess it's the sign of the times," she told the CBS affiliate.
Students waiting at a nearby bus stop during the apparent murder-suicide told the Hartford Courant they heard a woman’s scream, a few "bangs" and a loud thump. Then, dead silence.
Under the "work "section of her Facebook page, Kyla Ryng wrote that she was a "full-time stay at home mommy & wife and I love it."
But in divorce papers, she said their marriage had "broken down irretrievably," reported the Courant. She asked to receive alimony and child support and for their property and debts to be split. She wanted the couple to have joint custody of the children but asked for them to live primarily with her.
The children – ages 4, 3 and 20 months – are now being cared for by family members, police said.
Alexander Ryng was a first lieutenant and platoon leader for an engineering unit in New London, according to Col. John T. Wiltse, director of public affairs for the Connecticut Army National Guard. "We extend our sincere sympathy and condolences to the families and friends of Alex and Kyla Ryng," Wiltse said in a written statement. "This is a tragedy that affects many communities, including our Guard. We mourn their loss. The Ryng family will remain in our thoughts and prayers."
The Bristol Police Department has not yet released a detailed statement about what happened. Officers were not immediately available for comment.
Source: Michael Walsh, The New York Daily News, June 5, 2014.
