A tragic incident unfolded on Long Island, where a man, tormented by the prospect of homelessness following his mother's demise and the imminent sale of their family home, committed a horrifying murder-suicide.
Joseph DeLucia, 59, shot and killed four family members before turning the gun on himself, according to law enforcement officials.
As reported by The Independent, the gruesome event took place on Sunday in a Syosset residence. DeLucia's victims included his brother, two sisters, and a niece. Upon arrival, police discovered DeLucia's body on the front lawn, while the bodies of his relatives were found inside the house. The deceased were identified as Frank DeLucia, 63, Joann Kearns, 69, Tina Hammond, 64, and Victoria Hammond, 30.
The family was scheduled to meet with local realtor Mary Macaluso on the day of the incident to discuss the sale of the house, which had belonged to their late mother, as per Newsday. "The kids were all here for the funeral, and they asked me to come to look at the house," Macaluso shared with the newspaper. The family's recently deceased matriarch is believed to be Theresa Martha DeLucia, 95, who was interred just days before the tragedy.
However, Macaluso's appointment was interrupted by the shocking events. Upon her arrival, she found the area cordoned off by the police. The house, now a crime scene, is estimated to be worth $900,000, according to Zillow.
Nassau Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder described the scene as one of the most horrific he had witnessed in his 41-year career. "Walking into the back room, victims shot multiple times and the shooter was on the front lawn committed suicide," he recounted at a press conference.
Neighbor Randi Marquis, who had assisted in caring for Theresa DeLucia, visited the family following her death. She remembered Joseph DeLucia as being deeply distressed about the possibility of homelessness after learning that his mother's will directed the sale of the house. Despite assurances from his siblings that they would look after him, his anxiety remained. "He loved his mom. His mom was always there for him," Marquis said. "His sister said she worried for him. She said there was nothing left for him here. He was sitting in the front yard and said, 'I'm going to be homeless.' It's very unfortunate and I can't imagine."
This tragic incident underscores the importance of mental health support and the devastating consequences that can ensue when individuals feel isolated and desperate. For those experiencing emotional distress or struggling to cope, help is available. In the UK and ROI, the Samaritans offer confidential support at 116 123 or via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. In the USA, immediate mental health assistance can be accessed by calling or texting 988, or through online chat at 988lifeline.org. For those in other countries, www.befrienders.org provides information on local helplines.
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