Pima, AZ – Authorities in Arizona are investigating a suspected triple murder-suicide that claimed the lives of a 31-year-old mother and her two young children, shortly after she made a cryptic post on Facebook saying “Good night” with a “weird” emoji. Police believe the killings were carried out by the children’s grandfather before he turned the gun on himself.
The Incident: Family of Four Found Dead in Arizona Home
Police in Pima, Arizona, responded to a home on October 16 and discovered four bodies inside the residence. The deceased were identified as Justice Jones, 31, and her two children, Tyme Oates, 8, and Kyle Oates, 9. Also found dead at the scene was Duane Jones, Justice’s father.
Investigators believe Duane Jones fatally shot his daughter and her two children before taking his own life, according to reports from AZ Family and the Gila Herald.
“All four died from gunshot wounds,” police confirmed, adding that the gun was in Duane’s possession when officers arrived at the scene.
Authorities have not released further details regarding a possible motive, but family members said the incident appeared to come without warning.
Investigation and Evidence
The Pima Police Department is continuing to investigate the tragic event, treating it as a murder-suicide based on the evidence found at the scene. Officials say there were no prior calls for domestic disputes or threats reported at the Jones residence before the killings.
Family members said they were unaware of any mental health struggles or signs of distress from Duane Jones prior to the tragedy.
“We didn’t know anything was wrong,” said Breana Flores, a family relative. “There weren’t any red flags or concerns about his mental state that we knew of.”
Detectives are currently reviewing digital communications and social media posts made by the family in the days leading up to the tragedy to understand whether any warning signs were present.
Family Reaction and the ‘Weird’ Facebook Post
According to Flores, the night before the killings, Justice Jones shared a Facebook post that seemed unusual to her loved ones.
“She put a post on Facebook and just said ‘Good night’ with the weird slant emoji, so it was evident that something was going on,” Flores told AZ Family.
Flores said she now believes the post may have been a silent cry for help or an emotional sign of distress before the tragedy unfolded.
“I just hope that all of them… I hope they were asleep,” Flores said. “That no one had to see anything happen to the others or experience fear before it happened.”
Family members say they remain in shock and are trying to process the devastating loss.
Community Mourning and GoFundMe Efforts
Two GoFundMe fundraisers have since been launched to help cover funeral and memorial expenses for the victims. One was organized by Phillip Oates, who described the children as “full of light, laughter, and love.”
“They deserved to grow up, chase dreams, and to feel safe,” read a message from the children’s grandparents on the fundraiser page. “The donations will go toward memorial services for the victims.”
Another fundraiser organized by Breana Flores aims to assist the children’s father, identified only as Phil, who is now managing funeral preparations, time away from work, and travel expenses.
The community of Pima has come together to show support through donations, prayer vigils, and messages of condolence shared online.
Background Context: A Tragic Reminder of Family Violence
Cases of murder-suicides involving multiple family members remain rare but deeply traumatic for communities. Experts note that such tragedies often stem from unaddressed mental health struggles, financial pressure, or family conflict.
Mental health professionals urge families to look for behavioral red flags, including withdrawal, sudden mood changes, or unusual social media posts, as these can sometimes signal emotional distress or intent to harm.
Ongoing Developments and Next Steps
As of this week, police continue to gather evidence and await autopsy results from the Pima County Medical Examiner’s Office. Investigators have not indicated any signs of outside involvement and believe the shooting was confined to the household.
The deaths of Justice, Tyme, and Kyle have left the small Arizona community grieving and calling for greater awareness of mental health intervention and domestic safety resources.
Conclusion
The heartbreaking loss of a mother and her two children at the hands of a family member has shaken the Pima community. Loved ones hope that the tragedy will serve as a reminder of the importance of checking in on family members who may be struggling in silence — before it’s too late.
What are your thoughts on this devastating case? Share your condolences and reflections in the comments below.
