Three children and a woman were found dead of apparent gunshot wounds at a home in rural northern Kent County Monday afternoon, but authorities don’t think that’s where the children were shot.
Family members identified the children as 2-year-old Alanah Moore, 6-year-old Cassidy Graham and 8-year-old Kyrie Graham, and the woman as Aubrianne Moore.
The sheriff’s department would not confirm the victims’ identities pending the completion of autopsies. Sheriff Michelle LaJoye-Young would also not provide information about their relationships to one another, but family members say Moore was the children’s mother.
Stunned loved ones told 24 Hour News 8 that Alanah was joyful and happy, recalled Cassidy as rambunctious with an infectious personality and said Kyrie excelled in reading.
“Very sad. Very, very sad,” LaJoye-Young said, speaking to reporters at the scene. “It’s been very difficult for our investigators and I’m sure it is for the community as well.”
The bodies were discovered around 3 p.m. at a property along 19 Mile Road near Division Avenue in Solon Township, northwest of Cedar Springs. LaJoye-Young wouldn’t say whether they were indoors or outdoors.
The sheriff’s department said its search of the property indicated there’s a second crime scene where at least some of the shootings may have happened, but investigators don’t know where that is. Anyone who comes upon anything suspicious, including evidence of a shooting, is asked to call the sheriff’s department at 616.632.6100 or Silent Observer at 616.774.2345.
Authorities also asked any neighbors with surveillance cameras pointed toward the road to share their video by calling the detective’s bureau at 616.632.6125.
LaJoye-Young said there was no threat to the public and that authorities did not believe a shooter was on the loose. She stopped short of confirming the case was a murder-suicide, saying it was too early in the investigation to make that determination.
However, family members said they believe Moore killed her children and then herself. Moore has a history of mental illness and previously spent time in a mental hospital.
“Certainly a horrific thing to be called to and my heart goes out to the families involved here and the community,” the sheriff said. “We’re certainly going to do everything we can to bring this to a quick resolution.”