Murder-Suicide

Abstract

Murder-suicides form a distinct subset of homicides in which the perpetrator kills him or herself after dispatching his or her victims. More accurately called homicide-suicide, the most common scenario involves an estranged white male in his 40s killing his spouse and possibly children before committing suicide. Rates are relatively uniform among communities and are much less than simple homicide, or suicide, cases. A variety of categories have been identified that include spousal cases where (a) the action is precipitated by jealousy or concern over age or ill health, (b) familial cases where a parent usually kills all of the children and then themselves, and (c) a final mixed group consisting of disgruntled employees, cult members, and members of religious or political groups who target a large number of victims.