Mental health is incredibly important, but new parents struggling with theirs sometimes have few resources at their disposal. After giving birth, mothers are typically screened for postpartum depression, anxiety, and psychosis. But people can slip through the cracks, and even with treatment, thoughts of harming themselves or others may persist if the medication isn't a good fit or isn't taken as prescribed.
Although incidences of murder-suicide at the hands of mothers remain relatively low, they do happen. The deaths of a Utah mom and her three children were recently determined to be a murder-suicide, and their community has been rattled by the tragic news.
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The Weber County Sheriff's Office in Utah responded to a call about four people dead in a vehicle.
Deputies from the Weber County Sheriff's Office responded to a call at roughly 9:47 p.m. September 3 from a family member "reporting they found four people deceased in a vehicle" in West Haven, Utah, according to a news release the department shares on Facebook on September 4.
When the deputies arrived, they "confirmed that four people were deceased and obviously beyond help."
Later, the people who died were identified as Maribel Ibarra and her three children.
A September 6 update from the sheriff's office identified the dead as Maribel Ibarra, 32, and her three children. It did not include the names of the minors, but a GoFundMe campaign identified them as Jordan, Yaitza, and Alitzel. Fox 13 Now reported the children were ages 4, 2, and 1.
Investigators concluded it was a murder-suicide.
"Based on video evidence, physical evidence, witness statements, and interviews with family members, detectives believe that this was a tragic incident of murder-suicide," the office said in its September 6 update. "While we have determined the cause of death for all four was gunshot wound, we do not believe that anyone else was involved in their deaths."
It continued, "The evidence indicates that Maribel shot her three children in the rear cargo area of her car before turning the gun on herself."
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In the wake of the deaths, New Haven community members have shared their reactions.
The community was rattled by the news. Darren King, a neighbor and friend of the Ibarra family, reflected on the deaths during an interview with Fox 13 Now.
"They were the sweetest people in the world," he said. "They were the type that if you needed something, they would give it to you … Sunday night they would usually have family dinner and usually we’d have someone knock on our door with a plate of food. Just the most kind people I have ever met.”
Another neighbor, Amber Nicholas, told the news outlet, "It's extremely tragic. I wish there was something I could have done for the kids."
The sheriff's office included resources for those struggling with mental health.
"We extend our heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased and emphasize the availability of resources for anyone struggling with thoughts of self-harm," the office wrote via Facebook.
It included the following options for area residents:
- call or text 988 SUICIDE & CRISIS LIFELINE
- chat 988lifeline.org
- Suicidepreventionlifeline.org
- Utahsuicideprevention.org.
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.
