DULUTH, MN – In a heart-wrenching series of events, authorities discovered three adults and two minors deceased in two separate residences in what investigators are treating as a quadruple murder-suicide. The sequence of tragedies unfolded on Thursday, Nov. 7, when Duluth officers responded to a welfare check request for a resident who failed to show up for work.

Police identified the first scene at a house on the 6000 block of Tacony Street, where they found 47-year-old Erin Abramson and her 15-year-old son, Jacob Nephew, dead from gunshot wounds. Following this discovery, police turned their attention to Anthony Nephew, 46, Abramson’s ex-partner and Jacob’s father, marking him as the primary suspect.

Acting swiftly, police surveilled Nephew’s residence on the 4400 block of West 6th Street, just a mile from the initial crime scene. Duluth Police Chief Mike Ceynowa detailed in a press briefing on Friday, Nov. 8, that a drone was used to survey inside the home, revealing a second tragedy.

Inside, authorities discovered Anthony’s former wife, 45-year-old Kathryn Nephew, and his 7-year-old son, Oliver Nephew, both having suffered fatal gunshot wounds. Anthony Nephew was also found in the home, dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Investigators continue to probe for a motive behind this grisly series of events. Chief Ceynowa noted Anthony’s history of mental health struggles and that the police had previously responded to incidents at the West 6th Street residence. Authorities are now examining cell phone data to pinpoint when the murders occurred.

The police chief expressed profound sympathies, “Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family, friends, and loved ones of the four victims in this tragic incident. This event impacts both the Duluth and Superior communities deeply.”

Assuring public safety, officials confirmed there is no ongoing threat to the community, though the investigation remains active. Reflecting on the impact, Duluth’s public schools have mobilized crisis resources for students following the tragic loss of Oliver, a first-grader.

Duluth Mayor Roger Reinert spoke on the rarity of such violence in the community, emphasizing the town’s commitment to grieving together while supporting affected families and the public safety officers involved. Reinert stated, “It’s been a couple years since we’ve seen something like this, and we’re going to grieve, but we’re also going to make sure that we support those families and support our public safety team.”