Woman, Children Found Dead In West Palm Home
WEST PALM BEACH (CBSMiami) - A West Palm Beach woman who sent an email to her ex-husband which said she intended to "do harm" to her herself or her kids was found dead in her home along with two teenage children.
The woman's ex-husband, West Palm realtor Richard Berman, told police he and other family members received the email Monday morning. As he drove to her home on Pershing Way, less than block off Flagler Drive and the Intracoastal Waterway, he called 911. Inside the house police found the bodies of the woman along with those of a teenage boy and girl.
Investigators said it appears gunfire was involved. There appeared to be no forced entry into the home and the woman's husband is not considered a suspect. The couple finalized their divorce in December 2013.
All signs point to a double murder-suicide, but police have stopped short of calling it that until their investigation is complete.
"It's a shame," said neighbor Rod Tinson. "You know it's just sickening to hear. The kids too. The teenage kids won't have a life to grow up to."
"We feel for the family," said another neighbor, Lila Young. "We don't know exactly what's happened, but we just really feel for them."
Neighbors describe the family as nice. The couple were involved in real estate when they were married.
"The kids were very intelligent, sharp, very well put together," said Tim Frank, a neighbor.
Students at the teens' prestigious school A.W. Dreyfoos School of the Arts mourned the loss of their peers.
"It was so silent in school and no body was talking. It was just a really sad day," a classmate said.
