by Waverly, Tennessee — A Tennessee community is in mourning after authorities say a nurse fatally shot her two young sons and their grandmother before dying by suicide, leaving four family members dead in what investigators believe was a quadruple murder-suicide.
The tragic discovery was made Friday morning during a welfare check at a home in Waverly.
Welfare check leads to discovery of four bodies
Deputies with the Humphreys County Sheriff’s Office responded to the residence after concerns were raised about the occupants’ well-being. Inside, deputies found the bodies of two women and two children.
All four victims were pronounced dead at the scene.
Victims identified by authorities
Local officials later identified the victims as:
- Arius Thompson, 4
- Isaiah Johnson, 13
- Evelyn Johnson, 88
- Heather Thompson, 32
Investigators said all four died from apparent gunshot wounds.
Sheriff says case appears to be murder-suicide
Humphreys County Sheriff Chris Davis said preliminary evidence indicates that Heather Thompson, a nurse, shot her two sons and their grandmother before turning the gun on herself.
Authorities emphasized that there were no signs of forced entry and no indication that anyone else was involved.
“I know the family,” Davis said during a press conference. “We’re going to do right by them. We’re going to respect them, and we’re going to do right by them.”
No motive has been released, and investigators said the case remains under review.
No prior domestic or mental health calls reported
Sheriff Davis noted that deputies had no prior history of domestic violence or mental health-related calls associated with the household, adding to the shock surrounding the incident.
Authorities stressed that there is no ongoing threat to the community.
Father shares grief after loss of two sons
The children’s father, Biah Thompson, who was reportedly estranged from Heather Thompson, shared emotional messages following the tragedy.
In a comment on the sheriff’s office social media post, he wrote:
“I miss my sons already. Daddy still loves you. Sorry I was at work.”
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In a separate post, Thompson described the pain of receiving the devastating news.
“This morning I got a call that I don’t wish on any other parent,” he wrote. “As a father it hurt and shattered my soul to hear my sons, Arius (Ari) and Isaiah have been taken from me and are no longer with us. They were just babies.”
Family seeks help with funeral arrangements
Thompson said funeral arrangements had not yet been finalized and asked for help raising funds to transport his sons’ bodies from Tennessee to New Mexico, where family members are located.
Community members have begun sharing messages of condolence and support as the family grapples with the loss.
Investigation ongoing with state assistance
The investigation is ongoing with assistance from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. Authorities said they will release additional information if and when it becomes available.
For now, officials and residents alike are left searching for answers as Waverly mourns the loss of three generations of the same family.
If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of violence or self-harm, help is available. Reaching out to mental health professionals or crisis support services can save lives.
