SUDDEN VALLEY, Wash. – The Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office says an investigation has found that a Sudden Valley mother acted on her own and deliberately when she killed her children and herself.
Investigators determined that Michele Boudreau Deegan’s estranged husband had no involvement in the murder/suicide that left the couple’s twin 7-year-old daughters dead.
Michele was found with a handgun that she used to shoot the children and then herself on October 23rd.
The girls were found with large amounts of sedatives in their systems that likely rendered them unaware of what was happening.
Michele had recently expressed suicidal thoughts and said she wouldn’t leave her daughters without her.
Other evidence at the scene also indicated she had planned to take the action for several days.
A court hearing October 20th that awarded joint custody of the girls to her and her estranged husband appears to have been what led to her decision.
The Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office shares this message for people who are experiencing suicidal thoughts:
“There are many resources available both locally and on-line to include: The VOA Care Crisis Line at 1-800-584-3578; by texting “TALK” to 741741; calling the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-TALK(8255) or www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org.
If a friend or family member expresses suicidal ideations, please tell someone! Don’t be silent. You can contact your local 9-1-1 or use the same numbers listed for Care Crisis Line or the National Suicide Prevention Hotline.”