Three children flee Sacramento home before parents found dead in murder-suicide

Neighbors grapple with aftermath as authorities investigate the tragic incident.

Mar. 22, 2026 at 5:24am

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Three young children in Sacramento, California, fled their home and called for help after witnessing their father assault their mother. When deputies arrived, they found the parents dead in an apparent murder-suicide. The children were unharmed and have been placed with family members as the investigation continues.

Why it matters

This tragic incident highlights the devastating impact of domestic violence on families, especially children who are forced to witness such horrific acts. It also raises questions about the support systems and resources available to help prevent these types of tragedies and protect vulnerable families.

The details

According to the Sacramento County Sheriff's Office, the juvenile caller reported the assault around 9:30 p.m. on Friday near the intersection of Edison Avenue and Ball Way. The three children were able to flee the home before deputies arrived. When deputies entered the home, they found an unresponsive woman through a window and an unresponsive man inside. Both parents were pronounced dead at the scene. The sheriff's office is investigating the case as a murder-suicide and said no gun was found.

  • The incident occurred around 9:30 p.m. on Friday, March 22, 2026.
  • The three children fled the home before deputies arrived.

The players

Sacramento County Sheriff's Office

The law enforcement agency investigating the murder-suicide incident.

Clay Warix

A neighbor who witnessed the police activity in the area and expressed his shock and concern for the children involved.

Sgt. Edward Igoe

A spokesperson for the Sacramento County Sheriff's Office who provided details about the incident and the agency's response.

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What they’re saying

“It's sad. I couldn't imagine what the kids went through and how they dealt with that. I'm happy to see that they're brave enough to step out and make the call.”

— Clay Warix, Neighbor

“Obviously, anything that's involving any type of kids is always gonna be one of the most difficult calls that any of our employees are gonna deal with. It's very fortunate that that they're safe and that they're OK.”

— Sgt. Edward Igoe, Spokesperson, Sacramento County Sheriff's Office

What’s next

Detectives are continuing their investigation as the coroner's office works to identify the two individuals. The three children have been placed with family members.

The takeaway

This tragic incident underscores the urgent need for greater support and resources to address domestic violence and protect vulnerable families, especially children who are forced to witness such horrific acts. The bravery of the three children in fleeing the home and calling for help is a testament to their resilience, but no child should have to endure such trauma.