31-year-old Indiana Father Slaughters Wife and Three Young Daughters Before Taking His Own Life

Lifestyle
Paul Johns
February 25, 2025
0
71
9 minutes read

( Image: CBS News)

A family of five, including three young girls, was found dead in a suspected murder-suicide at a Lake Station, Indiana, home on Friday, February 21. Authorities responded to a welfare check request at around 2:45 p.m. on the 6700 block of East 9th Avenue, where they discovered the bodies of 27-year-old Briana Payne, her three daughters—4-year-old Alayna, 6-year-old Ava, and 7-year-old Aurorah—and the girls’ father, 31-year-old Robert Payne.

According to the Lake County Coroner’s Office, Briana and her daughters died from gunshot wounds in what is being investigated as a homicide. Robert Payne’s death was ruled a suicide, with a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Neighbors expressed shock and grief over the tragedy. Sandy Goodman, a neighbor, recalled hearing frequent arguments in the days leading up to the incident, told CBS News.

“They were arguing a lot for the last few days. I knew there was something weird, because the cars weren’t moved, and they go out every day,” Goodman said. She described the girls as joyful and full of life, adding, “Those little girls were just so full of joy and happiness, and playing. They were just awesome.”

The girls attended Virgil Bailey Elementary School, where grief counselors were made available to support their classmates. A GoFundMe page has been established to help cover funeral expenses for Briana and her daughters, raising over $9,000 so far.

The fundraising post described Briana as “a loving mother and incredible caregiver” and her daughters as “amazing.” Aurorah, nicknamed “Twinkle,” Ava, known as “Chocolate Drop,” and Alayna, called “Bubbles,” were remembered for their vibrant personalities. The post also highlighted Briana’s dedication as a caregiver for her mother, Lili Parker-Owens, and her unwavering love for her children.

Parker-Owens, the girls’ grandmother, shared heartfelt memories of her grandchildren. “Aurorah was my Twinkle—the twinkle in my eye. Ava had a magic all her own: She smelled of chocolate as a baby, it was just her natural scent—just so sweet and special. And Alayna? She was Bubbles—She had such a bubbly personality,” she said.

The tragedy has left the community in mourning. “Losing Briana and her daughters feels like losing a piece of our hearts,” Parker-Owens added. “There’s an emptiness now in our community. In this time of unbearable darkness, your support is a flicker of light, a reminder that even in the face of such cruelty, love endures.” The investigation into the incident remains ongoing as the community grapples with the devastating loss.