Police: Duluth man killed wife, ex-partner, and his two kids before taking his own life
A Duluth man is believed to have killed his former partner and their 15-year-old son as well as his wife and their 7-year-old son before taking his own life, according to police.
The Duluth Police Department on Friday identified the suspect in Thursday's shocking mass killing as 46-year-old Anthony Nephew.
He's suspected of killing his former partner, 47-year-old Erin Abramson, and their 15-year-old son, Jacob Nephew, inside Abramson's home in the 6000 block of Tacony Street in Duluth, authorities shared during a press conference.
Police discovered the mother and son dead of apparent gunshot wounds while conducting a welfare check at Abramson's home Thursday afternoon.
Authorities said a city of Superior employee reported concern to police after Abramson, a manager in the city's environmental services division, failed to show up at work.
Duluth Police Chief Mike Ceynowa said officers identified Anthony Nephew as a person of interest in the killings and began surveillance of his home in the 4400 block of West 6th Street.
After learning Anthony Nephew's wife and son also resided there, police entered the suspect's home with a drone.
During the search, police found 45-year-old Kathryn Nephew and 7-year-old Oliver Nephew dead from apparent gunshot wounds.
Anthony Nephew was also found dead from what police said appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
During Friday's news conference, Superior Mayor Jim Paine said Abramson will be "very deeply missed" for both her work and personality.
"She dedicated her life and her work to protecting public health in Superior and in the north woods of Wisconsin and to protecting the health of Lake Superior," he said.
Ceynowa, the Duluth police chief, said investigators have become aware of a "pattern of mental health issues" related to Anthony Nephew and described the incident as "senseless and tragic."
