A Minnesota man, 46-year-old Anthony Nephew, killed his wife, ex-partner, and two sons before taking his own life in a tragic murder-suicide on Thursday, authorities confirmed. The shootings occurred in the city of Duluth, where police discovered five bodies inside two homes.
Duluth Police Chief Mike Ceynowa described Nephew as having a “pattern of mental health issues,” which may have played a role in the shocking incident. Nephew’s ex-partner, Erin Abramson, 47, and their 15-year-old son, Jacob Nephew, were found dead from gunshot wounds in their home. Shortly after identifying Nephew as the suspect, police discovered his wife, 45-year-old Kathryn Nephew, and their 7-year-old son, Oliver Nephew, dead from similar gunshot wounds inside the family’s home. Anthony Nephew was later found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Before the killings, Nephew had been vocal about his mental health struggles and expressed his frustrations with the political landscape, particularly his opposition to President-elect Donald Trump.
Nephew shared troubling posts on his Facebook page that painted a grim picture of his state of mind. In July, he wrote, “My mental health and the world can no longer peacefully coexist, and a lot of the reason is religion.” He described intrusive thoughts and fears, including vivid nightmares of being persecuted or killed due to his beliefs.
Nephew also shared his anxieties about the political climate, especially regarding Republicans and the treatment of women in society. He referenced “The Handmaid’s Tale,” the dystopian novel, and warned about the growing oppression of women. In other posts, he criticised the two-party system, expressing frustration over the choice between “fascism and not fascism.”
In 2021, Nephew wrote an op-ed in the ‘Duluth News Tribune’, in which he discussed the stigma surrounding mental health issues and the lack of adequate support for those struggling with them. He warned, “For millions of Americans, a breakdown leads to suicide—or homicide before suicide.” Nephew explained that many Americans either deny or hide their mental health struggles, leading to dire consequences.
Police have not yet determined a clear motive for the shootings, and authorities assured the public that there is no ongoing threat to the community. While the investigation continues, the tragedy has left the Duluth community in shock, as neighbours and friends remember Nephew as someone who had been open about his mental health challenges.
