Watch CBS News

Mom Allegedly Killed Sons, Hung Herself

CLEARWATER (CBSMiami/AP) - New evidence found in the investigation of a Clearwater woman who allegedly killed her children before she committed suicide may explain what led her to do it.

Records show that 34-year-old Dawn Brown was charged last year with welfare fraud.

Friends and neighbors say that she had been in financial and legal trouble; there were times when the family didn't have electricity in their Clearwater home and were facing foreclosure.

Thirty six year old Murphy Brown, the father of the children and Dawn's husband, found Brown and her children — ages five and nine —dead in their home.

It is believed that Brown killed the two young boys sometime Friday night and hung herself shortly after.

An autopsy will be done on the children to determine exactly how they died.

(TM and © Copyright 2012 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2012 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.