A Michigan mother and her two sons are dead following what police call a "mental health crisis." Monica Cannady, a 35-year-old mother from Pontiac, believed someone was trying to kill her and reportedly took her two young sons, Kyle, 9, and Malik, 3, into a field to hide.
Their bodies were uncovered on Sunday, frozen to death in the harsh Michigan winter. Cannady leaves behind a 10-year-old daughter, Lilly, and a devasted extended family. Investigators are trying to piece together what led to the tragedy.
Deputies discovered their bodies Sunday.
In a news conference on Monday, Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard said a 10-year-old girl knocked on a door and said her "family was dead in a field."
Investigators determined the girl was Cannady's daughter and took her to a hospital. Bouchard said the girl was in stable condition. Deputies followed the girl's tip and found the bodies of her mother and brothers. Investigators began their quest to determine why the family was in the field.
Cannady was reportedly suffering a 'mental health crisis.'
Bouchard said Cannady believed someone was trying to kill her and "that everyone was in on it." She thought that there was a conspiracy against her that included the police.
Cannady's mother reportedly noticed a change in her behavior about three weeks ago. The family tried to get her help before she left with the children, but she refused.
According to CBS Detroit, the father of Cannady's children was murdered in 2021, which may have contributed to her crisis.
Investigators received tips about the family before the discovery of their bodies.
Bouchard said during the news conference that authorities had received calls in the days leading up to the discovery of the family, but were unable to find them.
"Over the course of a couple of days, we actually had been getting calls about a woman and kids not dressed appropriately for the conditions," said Bouchard. "Deputies would go there, look all through the area and couldn't find anybody."
Charles Witherspoon, who lives in the neighborhood, told CBS Detroit he had heard from neighbors that Cannady had knocked on doors asking for food because she was hungry. Cannady was reportedly not homeless.
Bouchard called for an increase in mental health services.
Bouchard recognized a need for mental health services and said that this incident is an example of the desperate need to fund these programs. He said that although his community has some of the best mental health partnerships available, it is still not enough. "We do things that almost no one does, but there can be so much more," he said.
Cannady's family set up a GoFundMe to assist her daughter Lilly.
The Cannady family is heartbroken over the loss of their family and hope to raise funds with a GoFundMe to help Lilly as she navigates life without her mother and brothers.
"Monica was a loving, caring mother to her children, always a hard worker making sure her children were well taken care of," the post reads.
Supporters sent messages of love for Cannady's family and friends.
"I specialize in mental health and understand the need for more professionals to intervene, to be the voice that let those with mental illnesses and there families know that it is ok to reach out for help," someone wrote.
"Sending love and kindness to my beloved childhood friend Rhodesia and family after this awful tragedy. May you never know such sorrow again," another comment reads.
The fundraiser has raised $6,000 of its $50,000 goal.
Note: If you or any of your loved ones are struggling with suicidal thoughts or are in emotional distress, you can always reach out to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling 988. They are available 24/7 by phone or online chat.
