Humphreys County TN murder-suicide: Heather Thompson, Waverly mom shoots and kills sons, grandmother then self. Victims identified as brothers Arius and Isiah Thompson and Evelyn Johnson. Boy’s father, Biah Thompson sets up fundraiser to bring bodies home.
Authorities in Tennessee believe a 32-year old mother of two shot and killed her children along with their grandmother before then taking her own life at the family home in Waverly.
Humphreys County Sheriff Chris Davis identified the mother, as Heather Thompson of Waverly, along with her children, 4-year-old Arius Thompson and 13-year-old Isiah Thompson. A fourth individual found slain at the residence was identified as 88-year-old woman and grandmother, Evelyn Johnson. The four were found inside a home on East Little Richland Road, FOX17 reported.
Humphreys County ‘small town’ murder-suicide tragedy
Deputies responded to a welfare check at around 8:30 a.m., Friday morning, January 2, where they discovered the bodies of two adult women and two juvenile males, all suffering from mortal gunshot wounds. Authorities say the victims were lifelong residents of Humphreys County.
Sheriff Davis became emotional when speaking about the incident, saying that he knew the family, WSMV reported.
‘Here again, small town America. Here again, I know the families. So, we’re going to do right by them,’ he said. ‘We’re going to respect them. We’re going to do right by them.’
No previous reports of domestic violence or mental health issues
Preliminary evidence suggests Heather Thompson may have been responsible for the deaths before dying herself, overnight, said Davis. The investigation is still active, and no motive has been released.
The sheriff noted there was no history of domestic violence or mental health issues reported at the household, and no one else is believed to be involved.
The father of the two boys, Biah Thompson, established a GoFundMe to help with the cost of transporting them home to New Mexico.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is assisting the sheriff’s office with the ongoing investigation.
