An Ohio family is living a nightmare after enduring its second murder-suicide in the past six months. Cincinnati mother Darlene Flores lost her daughter and estranged husband to a reported murder-suicide in August 2022. On February 3, Flores was allegedly killed by her son, who reportedly shot his brother before turning the gun on himself.
Eric Johnson Jr., 19, killed Flores and his 16-year-old brother, Rodrigo Johnson, before shooting himself at a home on Canyon Drive, Local 12 reported. Family and friends believe the killings were a result of domestic violence Johnson Jr. witnessed in the home. He reportedly had trouble dealing with the death of his sister, which some think played a part in the family's most recent tragedy.
Flores and her husband were previously involved in a custody dispute.
Police intervened during a custody dispute between Flores and Eric Johnson, 40, regarding their 6-year-old daughter, Iyla, According to People. The father reportedly began a standoff with police, refusing to return the child to her mother. After barricading himself in a bedroom, police gained access to the room and found Iyla and Johnson dead of gunshot wounds.
The tragedy affected the family tremendously.
Timyone Andrew, a friend of EJohnson Jr., told Local 12 that the teen had difficulty dealing with his sister's death.
"Deep down, you know, losing your little sister and especially a 6-year-old sister and that was like the closest. He loved her more than anything. Losing her it destroyed my boy. I know he was hurting," he told the news outlet.
Eric Johnson Jr. reportedly sent friends a foreboding message before killing his mother and brother.
"My friend called around 5:00 this morning saying that he loved us and that he's sorry and he misses his sister. Nobody seen the text. I was the first person that seen the text this morning around 6," Andrew said via Local 12. "As soon as I heard it, I got a friend that called me and said that said, 'Hey, check on E, I heard there's a lot of police on his street.'"
Flores was a well-loved mother figure in the neighborhood.
Friends in the family's neighborhood couldn't believe that the family had been struck by such tragedy again. Robert Davis told WLWT that the news of the family's deaths was a complete shock. Flores' home was a respite for many of the kids in the neighborhood who felt like they belonged there.
"Most of us in the neighborhood have single mothers," Davis said. "So, they raised us. Miss Darlene, she was very sweet, like another mother. Took us in. Anything that we needed or asked for, they always gave it to us. And they taught us life lessons and stuff."
Murder-suicide is a serious issue.
Nearly 600 murder-suicides occur annually in the US, according to the FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin. These incidents result in 1,000 to 1,500 deaths annually. Most commonly, murder-suicides happen among couples in an intimate relationship.
"Sixty-five percent of the events involve intimate partners, and 81% occur in the home,” the bulletin reads. “These represent domestic murder-suicides, in which one family or other household member kills another before committing suicide. They also include those where the victim is a former intimate partner."
The family set up a GoFundMe page to aid with final expenses.
As the family mourned a second devastating loss, the community banded together to help. A GoFundMe account has raised nearly $25,000 of a $30,000 goal.
"We are praying for you and your family. We are praying for the Purcell Marian and Roger Bacon communities as well," one person wrote.
"Sending our thoughts and prayers to the family. Darlene was a wonderful mother and cared for her kids greatly," a donor commented.
"I don't have the words to say other than may God's Grace cover this family and I pray that they are in a place of peace and reunited with their sister/daughter," someone shared.
Note: If you or any of your loved ones are struggling with suicidal thoughts, you can always reach out to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling 988. They are available 24/7 by phone or online chat.
