A family member of the deceased reportedly discovered the four bodies on the morning of January 24.
Authorities are investigating a suspected murder-suicide after Paul Swarner, his wife Karen, and their two young children, Evelyn and Connor, were found dead in their Hempfield Township home.
The Westmoreland County Coroner’s report and police records indicate that Karen’s father was the one who discovered the bodies of the Pennsylvania family of four.
Concerned after repeated unanswered calls on January 23, an unusual occurrence given their regular communication, he decided to check on them. The following day, on January 24, he made the tragic discovery and called 911.
Pennsylvania State Trooper Steve Limani gave a press address, sharing that preliminary evidence by the investigating officers indicates that Paul took the lives of his wife and kids before turning a Ruger 22 handgun on himself.
However, the coroner’s report is yet to indicate the official manner and cause of death. The report notes that Karen died at 4:35 a.m. on January 24 while Paul passed away at 4:40 a.m. The bodies of the parents and kids were all discovered in one room.
Limani spoke of the tragic case, “To be honest with you, I don’t have the words to describe how awful it is. You’re talking about your wife, but then a 5-year-old and a 1-year-old. It’s just devastating.”
Officers have stated that the last relative to speak with Karen, 32, on January 22 did not report any signs of trouble or conflict within the family. There were no indications of distress or concerns about safety at the time of their conversation, so, investigating officers are now activily looking for motive.
They are hoping a baby camera or any electronic equipment in the house may shed light on what triggered Paul to commit the heinous act. However, State Trooper Limani stated that no explanation could truly lessen the pain experienced by the affected family.
Initial investigations also indicate that both Paul, 35 and his wife had no prior criminal records or reported cases of domestic violence.
“I don’t know what was going on with Paul. I don’t know why it would have happened. I hope we’re able to find some answers. It’s extremely, extremely sad. I don’t know. I don’t know what’s worse,” Limani acknowledged.
The state trooper revealed that Paul and Karen, who were married for approximately 10 years, appeared to have been well-established in their careers.
They lived in what seemed like a quintessential all-American home. The house was filled with children’s toys, family photos, and all the familiar touches that one would expect to see in a warm and loving household.
Dick Shawley, a neighbor, mentioned that he didn’t hear anything unusual from his home but saw the police outside from his window. Though he wasn’t close to the family, Shawley made an effort to offer assistance when they needed
He remembered fondly how he gave Christmas gifts to the children and played Santa for them. “They were always jumping around and happy. I played Santa over there. And, I’ll never get it out of my mind. Such devastation. Such preciousness life,” Shawley mourned.
The death of Paul, Karen, Evelyn, and Connor marks the second murder-suicide in Westmoreland County since December 2024. As much as Limani does not know the triggers behind this tragedy, he has encouraged families to stay connected, communicate openly about their struggles, and seek help for mental health concerns.
He emphasized the importance of maintaining strong bonds and being proactive in seeking support when facing difficulties.
If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), text “help” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741, or go to suicidepreventionlifeline.org.
