A NURSE shot and killed her two young sons and her grandmother before taking her own life in a devastating quadruple murder-suicide.
Authorities made the grim discovery during a welfare check at a Tennessee home on January 2, where four bodies were found inside.
Investigators said all of the victims suffered fatal gunshot wounds.
The victims were identified as Arius Thompson, 4, Isaiah Johnson, 13, and their great-grandmother, Evelyn Johnson, 88.
The boys’ mother, Heather Thompson, 32, was also found dead.
Authorities said preliminary evidence suggests Heather Thompson was responsible for killing her sons and grandmother before dying by suicide.
Investigators stressed there is no evidence indicating anyone else was involved, and a motive has not been released.
Public records show Heather Thompson worked as a nurse at Ascension Saint Thomas Three Rivers Hospital in Waverly after earning her master’s degree from Walden University.
Humphreys County Sheriff, Chris Davis, grew emotional while addressing the tragedy.
He noted he personally knew the family and that they had lived in Waverly their entire lives.
Referencing an explosion in the county that killed 16 people, Davis reflected on the impact on the close-knit community, saying: “Here again, small town America. Here again, I know the families.
“So, we’re going to do right by them. We’re going to respect them. We’re going to do right by them.”
Jeremiah [Biah] Thompson, the children’s father, who was estranged from their mother, shared his grief publicly in a online post, writing: “I miss my sons already. Daddy still loves you. Sorry, I was at work.”
In the aftermath of the tragedy, Thompson launched a GoFundMe to help cover funeral expenses and bring his sons back to New Mexico, where he lives.
The fundraiser has raised nearly $11,000, approaching its $16,000 goal.
Describing the moment he learned of his sons’ deaths, Thompson wrote: “As a father, it hurt and shattered my soul to hear my sons Arius(Ari), and Isaiah have been taken from me and are no longer with us.”
He added: “They were just babies. Every second of today, I wish I could just wake up.”
In an update shared yesterday, the father revealed he and his sister were traveling to Tennessee to bring his boys home.
Hundreds of messages poured in from people offering condolences and encouragement.
One supporter wrote: “Brother, I am so sorry. Stay strong and know you are not alone. I’ll keep your boys, you, and your family in prayer.”
Another added: “Biah, I’m so deeply sorry for your loss. My heart aches for you and your family. Sending love and prayers.”
This is not the first horror suicide killing spree to happen in the US.
In 2025, a five-year-old girl ran for help after witnessing her dad shoot three of her family members before turning the gun on himself.
The victims were later identified as the child’s mom, mother Marissa Leara Rowell, 32, grandma, Sandra Gayle Fogarty, 71, and aunt Alisha Lael Fogarty, 33.
They had all been at the Florida home when Rowell launched his deadly assault at around 8pm on July 24.
Melissa’s cousin later said the victim had been planning to leave her violent husband and was in the process of buying a house.
