2024 Duluth Shootings
Familicide and Murder-Suicide
CLASSIFICATION: Mass Murder
LOCATION
Duluth, Minnesota, U.S.
TIME PERIOD
November 7, 2024
VICTIMS
4 confirmed
On November 7, 2024, in Duluth, Minnesota, 43-year-old Anthony Nephew committed a familicide, resulting in the deaths of four relatives before taking his own life. The incident unfolded at two separate residences: Nephew first shot his ex-girlfriend and their son in Cody, then proceeded to his Denfeld home where he killed his wife and their son. Prior to the shootings, Nephew exhibited significant mental health issues, including a history of threats against his family linked to his discontent with the political climate following Donald Trump's election. Despite being hospitalized for a mental breakdown and expressing suicidal ideation, he obtained a gun permit just two months prior to the incident. The case remains under investigation, with authorities examining the circumstances surrounding Nephew's mental health and access to firearms.
Anthony Nephew's actions were influenced by his expressed discontent with Donald Trump's election victory, as he had previously threatened to harm his family if Trump won. His mental health issues, including a diagnosis of schizophrenia and paranoid delusions, were significant factors leading up to the shootings, with some believing that these conditions exacerbated his violent tendencies. Additionally, there is speculation about the failure of mental health interventions, given that he was able to obtain a gun permit despite a history of threatening behavior and hospitalization.
The 2024 Duluth Tragedy: A Familicide Unfolds
A Dark Day in Duluth
On the crisp morning of November 7, 2024, the city of Duluth, Minnesota, found itself in the grip of a tragedy that would forever scar its peaceful streets. Anthony Nephew, a 43-year-old man with a turbulent past, committed an unthinkable act of violence, leaving five dead and a community in shock. This was no ordinary crime; it was a familicide, a murder-suicide that claimed the lives of his closest kin.
The sequence of events began in Duluth's Cody neighborhood, where Nephew's ex-girlfriend, 47-year-old Erin Abramson, and their 15-year-old son, Jacob Nephew, were found dead, victims of Nephew's bullets. Fueled by unknown demons, Nephew then moved to his home in the Denfeld neighborhood. There, he brutally ended the lives of his wife, 45-year-old Kathryn Nephew, and their innocent 7-year-old son, Oliver. After this bloody rampage, Anthony Nephew turned the gun on himself, bringing the death toll to five.
A Man Tormented
Anthony Nephew was no stranger to personal turmoil. A 1996 graduate of Denfeld High School, his life had been marred by mental health struggles and erratic behavior. In February 2021, police responded to a call at Nephew's home, where he was experiencing a mental breakdown. He confessed to officers about enduring paranoid thoughts and agreed to seek help.
The situation escalated on July 3, 2024, when Nephew threatened his wife with a knife and spoke of taking his own life. The police intervention revealed more layers to his troubled psyche: Nephew disclosed a diagnosis of schizophrenia and believed the Russians had controlled his mind since childhood. In a chilling foreshadowing, he asked an officer to return and kill him and his family should Donald Trump win the 2024 presidential election. This incident led to his hospitalization, yet by September 9, Nephew somehow obtained a gun permit.
Nephew's social media presence painted a portrait of a man at odds with the world. His posts were rife with left-wing and anti-Trump sentiments. In July, he lamented on Facebook that his mental health was incompatible with the world, pointing fingers at religion and the political climate. He criticized the binary choice between "fascism and not fascism" in the election and made ominous references to "Gilead," drawing parallels to "The Handmaid's Tale." In one of his final posts, he took aim at the Minnesota Star Tribune for abstaining from endorsing a candidate in the election.
In a 2021 op-ed for the Duluth News Tribune, Nephew had expressed his frustrations with the stigmatization of mental health issues in America. He ominously warned that for many, a breakdown could lead to suicide or even homicide before suicide.
The Tragic Morning
Two days after Donald Trump secured the presidency, Nephew's mental state reached a breaking point. He embarked on his deadly mission, first targeting Erin Abramson and Jacob, before returning home to execute Kathryn and Oliver. The bodies were discovered by officers conducting a welfare check after a concerned co-worker of Abramson's reported her absence from work.
In the Wake of Horror
The motive behind Nephew's rampage remains elusive, but authorities have pointed to his troubled history as a probable catalyst. Duluth's police chief acknowledged the pattern of mental health issues in Nephew's life during a press conference held the day after the shootings. "I want to extend our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and victims involved in this tragedy yesterday," the chief stated, emphasizing the senselessness of the event.
The community responded with an outpouring of support. A GoFundMe campaign for Abramson and Jacob quickly surpassed $2,000 by November 12. The following day, approximately 500 mourners gathered for a candlelight vigil, walking nearly a mile between the sites of the killings, united in grief and solidarity.
Sources
- Lawler, Christa (November 15, 2024). "Police: Duluth man suspected of killing family, himself got gun permit in September." Minnesota Star Tribune.
- "Police report details mental health issues for gunman in Duluth murder-suicide." Northern News Now, Duluth, Minnesota. November 15, 2024.
- Olsen, Tom (November 14, 2024). "Duluth man who killed family got gun permit in September." Duluth News Tribune.
- Lawler, Christa (November 8, 2024). "Police: Duluth man fatally shot two sons, wife, ex-wife and himself." Minnesota Star Tribune, Duluth, Minnesota.
- Keane, Isabel (November 10, 2024). "Minnesota dad who ranted against Trump election gunned down wife, ex-girlfriend and his 2 kids in murder-suicide." New York Post.
- Nephew, Tony; Frederick, Chuck (March 18, 2021). "Local View: Health care must include care for oft-overlooked mental well-being." Duluth News Tribune.
- "Minnesota man kills his two sons, his wife and his ex-partner before killing himself, police say." Associated Press, Duluth, Minnesota. November 8, 2024.
- "Dad shoots dead two sons, wife and ex-partner before killing himself in horror murder-suicide." The Independent. Associated Press. November 10, 2024.
- "Minnesota man kills wife, ex-partner and two sons before killing himself." The Guardian. November 8, 2024.
- "Police identify 5 killed in West Duluth murder-suicide." Duluth News Tribune, Duluth, Minnesota. November 8, 2024.
- Alund, Natalie Neysa (November 8, 2024). "5 dead including 2 juveniles in murder-suicide after shootings at 2 Minnesota homes: Police." USA Today.
- "5 dead, including 2 children, identified in Duluth suspected murder-suicide." CBS News, Duluth, Minnesota. November 8, 2024.
- Rudy, Gabriella (November 8, 2024). "5 dead, including 2 juveniles, after quadruple murder-suicide at 2 homes in Minnesota." NBC News.
- Bedigan, Mike (November 12, 2024). "Fundraisers launched for horrific murder-suicide where dad killed two sons, ex-wife and partner." The Independent.
No Recent News
No recent news articles found for this case. Check back later for updates.
No Evidence Submitted
No evidence found for this case. Be the first to submit evidence in the comments below.
Join the discussion
Loading comments...
Mental Health Crisis
Police were called to Anthony Nephew's home due to a mental breakdown.
Threats Made
Nephew threatened to stab his wife and kill himself, leading to hospitalization.
Gun Permit Granted
Despite mental health issues, Nephew received a gun permit.
Familicide Incident
Nephew killed four relatives and himself in a murder-suicide.
Police Response
Officers discovered the bodies during a welfare check requested by a co-worker.
Fundraiser Launched
A GoFundMe for the victims raised over $2,000.
Candlelight Vigil
Around 500 people gathered for a vigil for the victims.
Police Press Conference
Police chief addressed the community regarding the tragic event.
On November 7, 2024, in Duluth, Minnesota, 43-year-old Anthony Nephew committed a familicide, resulting in the deaths of four relatives before taking his own life. The incident unfolded at two separate residences: Nephew first shot his ex-girlfriend and their son in Cody, then proceeded to his Denfeld home where he killed his wife and their son. Prior to the shootings, Nephew exhibited significant mental health issues, including a history of threats against his family linked to his discontent with the political climate following Donald Trump's election. Despite being hospitalized for a mental breakdown and expressing suicidal ideation, he obtained a gun permit just two months prior to the incident. The case remains under investigation, with authorities examining the circumstances surrounding Nephew's mental health and access to firearms.
Anthony Nephew's actions were influenced by his expressed discontent with Donald Trump's election victory, as he had previously threatened to harm his family if Trump won. His mental health issues, including a diagnosis of schizophrenia and paranoid delusions, were significant factors leading up to the shootings, with some believing that these conditions exacerbated his violent tendencies. Additionally, there is speculation about the failure of mental health interventions, given that he was able to obtain a gun permit despite a history of threatening behavior and hospitalization.
The 2024 Duluth Tragedy: A Familicide Unfolds
A Dark Day in Duluth
On the crisp morning of November 7, 2024, the city of Duluth, Minnesota, found itself in the grip of a tragedy that would forever scar its peaceful streets. Anthony Nephew, a 43-year-old man with a turbulent past, committed an unthinkable act of violence, leaving five dead and a community in shock. This was no ordinary crime; it was a familicide, a murder-suicide that claimed the lives of his closest kin.
The sequence of events began in Duluth's Cody neighborhood, where Nephew's ex-girlfriend, 47-year-old Erin Abramson, and their 15-year-old son, Jacob Nephew, were found dead, victims of Nephew's bullets. Fueled by unknown demons, Nephew then moved to his home in the Denfeld neighborhood. There, he brutally ended the lives of his wife, 45-year-old Kathryn Nephew, and their innocent 7-year-old son, Oliver. After this bloody rampage, Anthony Nephew turned the gun on himself, bringing the death toll to five.
A Man Tormented
Anthony Nephew was no stranger to personal turmoil. A 1996 graduate of Denfeld High School, his life had been marred by mental health struggles and erratic behavior. In February 2021, police responded to a call at Nephew's home, where he was experiencing a mental breakdown. He confessed to officers about enduring paranoid thoughts and agreed to seek help.
The situation escalated on July 3, 2024, when Nephew threatened his wife with a knife and spoke of taking his own life. The police intervention revealed more layers to his troubled psyche: Nephew disclosed a diagnosis of schizophrenia and believed the Russians had controlled his mind since childhood. In a chilling foreshadowing, he asked an officer to return and kill him and his family should Donald Trump win the 2024 presidential election. This incident led to his hospitalization, yet by September 9, Nephew somehow obtained a gun permit.
Nephew's social media presence painted a portrait of a man at odds with the world. His posts were rife with left-wing and anti-Trump sentiments. In July, he lamented on Facebook that his mental health was incompatible with the world, pointing fingers at religion and the political climate. He criticized the binary choice between "fascism and not fascism" in the election and made ominous references to "Gilead," drawing parallels to "The Handmaid's Tale." In one of his final posts, he took aim at the Minnesota Star Tribune for abstaining from endorsing a candidate in the election.
In a 2021 op-ed for the Duluth News Tribune, Nephew had expressed his frustrations with the stigmatization of mental health issues in America. He ominously warned that for many, a breakdown could lead to suicide or even homicide before suicide.
The Tragic Morning
Two days after Donald Trump secured the presidency, Nephew's mental state reached a breaking point. He embarked on his deadly mission, first targeting Erin Abramson and Jacob, before returning home to execute Kathryn and Oliver. The bodies were discovered by officers conducting a welfare check after a concerned co-worker of Abramson's reported her absence from work.
In the Wake of Horror
The motive behind Nephew's rampage remains elusive, but authorities have pointed to his troubled history as a probable catalyst. Duluth's police chief acknowledged the pattern of mental health issues in Nephew's life during a press conference held the day after the shootings. "I want to extend our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and victims involved in this tragedy yesterday," the chief stated, emphasizing the senselessness of the event.
The community responded with an outpouring of support. A GoFundMe campaign for Abramson and Jacob quickly surpassed $2,000 by November 12. The following day, approximately 500 mourners gathered for a candlelight vigil, walking nearly a mile between the sites of the killings, united in grief and solidarity.
Sources
- Lawler, Christa (November 15, 2024). "Police: Duluth man suspected of killing family, himself got gun permit in September." Minnesota Star Tribune.
- "Police report details mental health issues for gunman in Duluth murder-suicide." Northern News Now, Duluth, Minnesota. November 15, 2024.
- Olsen, Tom (November 14, 2024). "Duluth man who killed family got gun permit in September." Duluth News Tribune.
- Lawler, Christa (November 8, 2024). "Police: Duluth man fatally shot two sons, wife, ex-wife and himself." Minnesota Star Tribune, Duluth, Minnesota.
- Keane, Isabel (November 10, 2024). "Minnesota dad who ranted against Trump election gunned down wife, ex-girlfriend and his 2 kids in murder-suicide." New York Post.
- Nephew, Tony; Frederick, Chuck (March 18, 2021). "Local View: Health care must include care for oft-overlooked mental well-being." Duluth News Tribune.
- "Minnesota man kills his two sons, his wife and his ex-partner before killing himself, police say." Associated Press, Duluth, Minnesota. November 8, 2024.
- "Dad shoots dead two sons, wife and ex-partner before killing himself in horror murder-suicide." The Independent. Associated Press. November 10, 2024.
- "Minnesota man kills wife, ex-partner and two sons before killing himself." The Guardian. November 8, 2024.
- "Police identify 5 killed in West Duluth murder-suicide." Duluth News Tribune, Duluth, Minnesota. November 8, 2024.
- Alund, Natalie Neysa (November 8, 2024). "5 dead including 2 juveniles in murder-suicide after shootings at 2 Minnesota homes: Police." USA Today.
- "5 dead, including 2 children, identified in Duluth suspected murder-suicide." CBS News, Duluth, Minnesota. November 8, 2024.
- Rudy, Gabriella (November 8, 2024). "5 dead, including 2 juveniles, after quadruple murder-suicide at 2 homes in Minnesota." NBC News.
- Bedigan, Mike (November 12, 2024). "Fundraisers launched for horrific murder-suicide where dad killed two sons, ex-wife and partner." The Independent.
No Recent News
No recent news articles found for this case. Check back later for updates.
No Evidence Submitted
No evidence found for this case. Be the first to submit evidence in the comments below.
Join the discussion
Loading comments...
Mental Health Crisis
Police were called to Anthony Nephew's home due to a mental breakdown.
Threats Made
Nephew threatened to stab his wife and kill himself, leading to hospitalization.
Gun Permit Granted
Despite mental health issues, Nephew received a gun permit.
Familicide Incident
Nephew killed four relatives and himself in a murder-suicide.
Police Response
Officers discovered the bodies during a welfare check requested by a co-worker.
Fundraiser Launched
A GoFundMe for the victims raised over $2,000.
Candlelight Vigil
Around 500 people gathered for a vigil for the victims.
Police Press Conference
Police chief addressed the community regarding the tragic event.