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'Evil crimes': Inside mum's last letters before killing five kids, herself

The contents of a suicide note written by a mum-of-five before she killed her kids and herself have been revealed.

Oreanna Antoinette Myers, 25, shot her three children and two stepchildren at their home near Williamsburg, West Virginia in December last year.

Shaun Dawson Bumgarner, 7, Riley James Bumgarner, 6, Kian Myers, 4, were stepchildren from her Bumgarner’s previous marriage, while Aarikyle Nova Myers, 3, and Haiken Jirachi Myers, 1, were hers.

The children, aged between one and seven-years-old, were found inside the home. The mum was found outside and the home was burned to the ground.

Police later recovered multiple suicide notes written by Ms Myers from the scene.

Oreanna Antoinette Myers shot the five children, set the house on fire, then took her own life. Source: Greenbrier County Sheriff Department
Oreanna Antoinette Myers shot the five children, set the house on fire, then took her own life. Source: Greenbrier County Sheriff Department

A letter addressed to her husband, Brian Bumgarner, was found inside their car with a bloody fingerprint next to her initials, Greenbrier County Sheriff Bruce Sloan said.

The sheriff said the woman also placed three notes inside a plastic bag and taped them to a side-view mirror on the family vehicle, including phone numbers to reach relatives, a confession and a will.

In one of the letters the mum spoke of how her “demons took over” and confessed to killing the children.

“I hope one day someone will help others like me,” Ms Myers wrote, according to Sheriff Sloan.

“Mental health is not to joke about or taken lightly. When someone begs, pleads, cries out for help, please help them. You just might save a life or more lives. Thank you, OAM,” she said.

Ms Myers also told her husband she was sorry for what she had done, according to the Bluefield Daily Telegraph.

“I am so sorry, Brian. I am so sorry for my evil crimes,” the note reportedly said.

“I am sorry I failed you. I am sorry I was not strong enough.”

Ms Myers’ husband stayed with relatives instead of his home during the work week due to transportation issues, Sheriff Sloan said.

Shaun (bottom left), Riley (top left), Aarikyle (bottom right) and Haiken (top right) were killed by Oreanna Myers in December. Source: Morgan Funeral Home
Shaun (bottom left), Riley (top left), Aarikyle (bottom right) and Haiken (top right) were killed by Oreanna Myers in December. Source: Morgan Funeral Home

Text messages between Myers and her husband showed that his absence during the week had been “a tremendous source of contention” between them.

Ms Myers texted her husband the day of the murders saying she left something for him in their vehicle.

Sheriff Sloan said he was unaware if Ms Myers was under treatment for any diagnosed mental illness at the time of the deaths.

The charred remains of the home.
Police have since revealed in the letter the mum spoke of how her “demons took over” and confessed to the murders of the children. Source: Greenbrier County Sheriff Department

Father’s Facebook post after children’s deaths

Mr Bumgarner made a Facebook post the day after his children’s deaths, thanking friends and family for reaching out, according to 7News.

“I can’t get back to all of you but in a truly dark time, I feel like I could fall and all of you guys would catch me,” he reportedly wrote on Facebook.

”It gives me something... I don’t know what. Maybe it be hope or strength or grit, I don’t know. All I know is I have something and that’s not nothing!!!”

With AP

Readers seeking support and information about suicide prevention can contact Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636, Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467.

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