Florida mom, 31, jumps to her death in lake ‘after killing her 5-year-old twins at home’
- A mother of twins committed suicide on Friday by jumping from a bridge
- Her two five-year-old children were later found dead in their beds
- Their cause of death has yet to be determined, but it is not believed a weapon was used
- If you or a loved one needs help, please call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988
Five-year-old twins have been found dead in bed after their mother jumped from a bridge in what investigators say was a tragic murder-suicide.
Catorreia Hutto, 31, was seen heading to a lake in Oviedo, Florida, on Friday morning, where she got out of her car and jumped off the bridge. Her body was pulled from the water by a local fisherman.
The suicide prompted a welfare check on Hutto’s five-year-old twins, who were found dead in their bed in their home. NBC reported.
Officers found a gun on the floor of Hutto’s home — where the twins were found — but investigators found no obvious signs of trauma to their bodies.
The medical examiner still needs to conduct toxicology tests to determine the cause of death.
Five-year-old twins found dead in bed after their mother jumped off a bridge to her death in what investigators say is a tragic murder-suicide
Catorreia Hutto, 31, was spotted Friday morning driving to a lake in Oviedo, Florida, where she got out of her car and jumped off the bridge. Her floating dead body was pulled from the water, Seminole police said
The suicide prompted a welfare check on Hutto’s five-year-old twins, who were found dead in their bed in their home
Officers found a gun on the floor of Hutto’s home — where the twins were found — but investigators found no obvious signs of trauma to their bodies
According to the witness who called police, Hutto climbed out the passenger seat window after parking her silver car on the SR-417 bridge in Lake Jesup and then jumped in.
The twins – Ahmed and Ava Jackson – have special needs. According to Sheriff Dennis Lemma, the little boy and girl had not been to school since October 13.
According to deputies, there wasn’t much food or furniture in the home. They suggested that this could indicate that the family was in financial trouble.
The family’s home was cordoned off by police as investigators continued to collect evidence from the scene.
The Seminole County Sheriff Department said the series of events fits the description of a murder-suicide.
Hutto had acquired her home through a nonprofit organization, Habitat for Humanity, known for building homes for people who can’t afford them.
Hutto’s mother revealed that her daughter had endured a lifelong battle with depression, but there were no outward signs of rapid decline or concerning reports, according to the sheriff’s office and the Florida Department of Children and Families.
The mother of two worked for a temp agency doing clerical work and had been seen at work a few days earlier, Lemma said.
Hutto’s mother revealed that her daughter had endured a lifelong battle with depression, but there were no outward signs of rapid decline or worrying reports
The twins – Ahmed and Ava Jackson – have special needs. According to Sheriff Dennis Lemma, the little boy and girl had not been to school since October 13
One of Hutto’s neighbors – Latoshia Reynolds – said: “I am absolutely heartbroken. I have empathy. I don’t need to know her. I have a daughter myself, and the first thing I notice is that she may not have had anyone to contact.”
Reynolds said she wondered if Hutto felt isolated.
Hutto’s mother had been in Orlando for the past week and reportedly missed a call from her daughter’s phone number around 10 p.m. Thursday evening. She assumed one of the twins had accidentally called her, Lemma said.
Lemme publicly identified the twins, despite their father’s lack of response to their outreach.