Father, 34, kills his two kids, 7 and 6, and himself in horrific murder-suicide using a rifle that was eerily found place across his lap
- Brock Mater, 34, his son, 7, and daughter, 6, were found shot to death in Arizona
- The father had undergone divorce and mental health treatment
An Arizona man killed his two small children and himself in a gruesome murder-suicide amid a divorce battle.
Brock Mater, 34, his son, 7, and daughter, 6, were found shot to death Monday in their home in the Phoenix suburb of Surprise.
Police said they found the murder weapon – a rifle – on the father’s lap.
Mater had been undergoing mental health treatment before the murders. KTAR news reported.
Officials were alerted by the children’s mother, Hope Mater, who became concerned after receiving a call from their school saying they were no-shows.
Brock Mater, 34, his son, 7, and daughter, 6, were found shot to death Monday in their home in the Phoenix suburb of Surprise.
Hope tried knocking on the door of the house several times with no response. She called the police after noticing Mater’s car in the driveway.
The couple was getting divorced and the children had visited Mater last weekend.
Mater’s sister Larissa Mater asked for prayers for her family in a Facebook post Wednesday.
She wrote, “Please pray for my family and Hope Mater. My brother Brock Mater and his children will be mourned and missed.”
Hope had filed a protective order against her estranged husband last fall, alleging that he abused her and threatened to commit suicide after she asked for a divorce. Fox 10.
In the petition, Hope mentioned that Mater owned guns and asked for a ban on owning firearms.
The couple was getting divorced and the children had visited Mater last weekend
Hope tried knocking on the door of the house several times with no response. She called the police after noticing Mater’s car in the driveway
Hope had filed a protective order against her estranged husband last fall, alleging that he abused her and threatened to commit suicide after she asked for a divorce.
Hope also said that Mater was “talking about demons and cults and was very excited and anxious.”
A week after filing the petition, Mater picked up the children from school and took them to a hotel without notifying their mother, as evidenced in the divorce filing.
Mater then called the police and said he was suicidal and homicidal and was taken to a hospital in a psychiatric prison.
Hope filed for revocation of the protective order on May 1 because the divorce was nearing completion.