AMHERST TOWNSHIP, OH – Tragedy struck a small community after a mother and her nine-year-old son were discovered dead in their Amherst Township residence early Wednesday morning, marking what authorities suspect was a tragic murder-suicide.

Court records reveal that the child’s father had recently sought an emergency custody hearing in Henry County, Indiana, requested to take place on Nov. 25. The parents, who finalized their divorce in October 2019, were already navigating a complex family situation.

Law enforcement responded to an alert of smoke at the home on Broadway Avenue, arriving to a grim scene. Lorain County Sheriff’s Captain Robert Vansant reported that emergency personnel found Risa Louks, 46, and her son, Alex Louks, deceased inside the home around 7:47 a.m.

Preliminary investigations point to Risa Louks fatally shooting her son before igniting a small fire and subsequently turning the gun on herself. Although firefighters managed to swiftly contain the blaze, the lifeless bodies were discovered in a bedroom.

The community is reeling from the loss, with the Amherst Exempted Village School District confirming that Alex was a beloved third-grader at Powers Elementary School. His death leaves a profound void in the hearts of classmates and educators alike.

Authorities continue to parse through evidence to piece together the events leading up to the triple homicide. Captain Vansant emphasized that no other individuals are believed to have resided in the home, reinforcing the suspicion of a murder-suicide.

Dr. Frank Miller III, the Lorain County Coroner, has identified the deceased and is expected to conduct further examinations. The chilling discovery has sparked conversations about mental health and domestic issues within the tight-knit community.

As the investigation continues, the focus remains on understanding the circumstances that led to such a heartbreaking outcome, leaving many grappling with unanswered questions and seeking closure.