Four members of one family, including a Canadian Forces veteran who suffered from mental health issues, were found dead in a home in rural Nova Scotia Tuesday, in an apparent murder-suicide.
RCMP found the bodies after responding to a call at a residence in Upper Big Tracadie around 6 p.m. on Tuesday. ŰÎŰ´ŤĂ˝ has confirmed that all four of the dead were related, and one of them, 33-year-old Lionel Desmond, was a Canadian Forces veteran who suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder after he served in Afghanistan.
The other individuals found dead are Lionelâs Desmondâs wife Shanna Desmond, 31, their daughter Aaliyah, 10, and Lionelâs mother Brenda Desmond, 52.
RCMP also said that âinitial observationsâ indicate that all of them died of apparent gunshot wounds.
RCMP also said the maleâs gunshot wounds appeared to be self-inflicted and that two firearms were located during a search. Autopsies will be conducted to confirm cause of death.
There were no signs of forced entry into the residence, RCMP said. They are not looking for suspects.
In a statement released Wednesday, the Department of National Defence said that Cpl. Lionel Desmond was an infantryman with 2nd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment. He enrolled in 2004 and was deployed to Afghanistan from January 2007 to August 2007.
He was posted to the Joint Personal Support Unit in June 2014 until his release in July 2015. âThe JPSU supports members by providing access to available benefits, programs, and family services, thus allowing ill and injured CAF members and their families to focus on recovery,â the statement said.
Citing privacy considerations, DND added it would not âdiscuss medical matters of individual members.â
Trevor Bungay was Desmondâs team leader in Afghanistan.
âIf there was something that needed to be done, he was the first one to go do it,â Bungay told CTV Atlantic. âAnd Iâd explain him, simply by saying, âIf you really wanted a hole dug to China, Dessy would be the guy that youâd ask.ââ
âHe called me this summer, looking to sell his house and move back to Nova Scotia,â Bungay added. The two spoke, Bungay said, after Desmond received unspecified treatment upon returning to Canada. âWhen he came home, he said he was fine.â
Shannaâs aunt, Catharine Hartling, told the Canadian Press that Lionel Desmond was trained as a sniper and was diagnosed with PTSD after he returned from service overseas.
"He was bad then. They tried to get him help,â Hartling said. âThey sent him up to Montreal, and they sent him back and put him on medication."
Another relative said that Lionel Desmond recently attempted to check into a mental health unit in Antigonish but was turned away because there wasnât enough space.
"Lionel loved his mother, his family, and he was a victim of post-traumatic stress disorder and the memories he didn't want to have," said Rev. Elaine Walcott. "He was troubled."
Hartling agreed that Desmond didnât get the help he needed.
âOur government and our health system is failing our men,â Hartline said. "It's hard when you send someone home to live in a community after what they've seen and been through .... It has to stop. I hope they do an inquiry into this.â
Family members said Aaliyah turned 10 years old just a few days after Christmas. The little girl enjoyed horseback riding and aspired to be a veterinarian when she grew up. Hartling said she has just returned to school, where she is in Grade 5, on Tuesday.
Counselling services have been set up at Aaliyahâs school for students struggling to cope with the sudden loss.
"There is a huge sense of loss in our community," said Deanna Gillis, a spokeswoman for the Strait Regional School Board. "We're deeply saddened by this heartbreaking loss."
At a news conference Wednesday afternoon, Insp. Lynn Young said police attended the scene after âtwo individualsâ went to the residence, found the deceased and called 911 immediately.
Young said the investigation is ongoing, and that support is being provided for investigators.
âThis is incredibly tragic for everyone involved,â she said. âResources are available and support is being provided for all first responders and anyone involved in the investigation.â
She also extended her condolences to the families and the Upper Big Tracadie community.
âI know the loss of these lives will deeply impact all of you,â she said.
Deputy warden Sheila Pelly of the Municipality of the District of Guysborough told The Canadian Press that the deaths have stunned the community. She added she knew the dead.
"Everybody's in shock," she said. "They can't believe it."
Upper Big Tracadie is located approximately 200 kilometres northeast of Halifax.
With files from CTV Atlantic and The Canadian Press
RCMP also say two firearms were found. Big police presence still on scene.
â Kyle Moore (@KyleMooreCTV)
CTV has learned the people found dead inside the Upper Big Tracadie residence were a husband, his wife, daughter and his mother.
â Kayla Hounsell (@KHounsellCTV)
CTV Atlantic reporter Kyle Moore is at the scene of the investigation, you can .
RCMP Forensic Identification Unit has just arrived at the home
â Kyle Moore (@KyleMooreCTV)
RCMP have residence taped off Four bodies were discovered inside this home just after 6pm Tuesday night in Guysborough County.
â Kyle Moore (@KyleMooreCTV)