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Mum, 25, leaves letters for family before killing herself and five children

Five children found dead after a house fire late last year were shot to death by their mother, who then took her own life, authorities have revealed.

Oreanna Antoinette Myers, 25, shot her three children and two stepchildren at their home in West Virginia near Williamsburg on December 8, Greenbrier County Sheriff Bruce Sloan said.

The children, aged between one and seven, were found inside the home while Myers was found outside, Sloan said.

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

Photo shows four of the children killed by the woman.
Shaun (bottom left), Riley (top left), Aarikyle (bottom right) and Haiken (top right) were killed by Oreanna Myers in December. Source: Morgan Funeral Home

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

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

Sloan said he was unaware of whether the woman was under treatment for any diagnosed mental illness at the time of the deaths.

In a note she left behind, the mum complained about the lack of treatment for mental illness, according to the sheriff.

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

A letter addressed to him was found inside with a bloody fingerprint next to her initials, 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.

The charred remains of the home.
The woman shot the five children, set the house on fire, then took her own life. Source: Greenbrier County Sheriff Department

In a joint obituary for Shaun, Riley, Arikyle and Haiken, it was revealed the children were “known by many as Team Shark”.

Shaun loved playing t-ball and climbing trees, and was interested in space and wanted to be an astronaut, the obituary read.

Riley loved all sports, especially football and was extremely interested in music and was learning to play the piano and ukulele.

Aarikyle was “sneaky” and loved painting and being a kid, as well as superheroes and the Ninja Turtles.

Baby Haiken was spoiled by all and loved driving his toy cars, according to the document.

With Associated Press

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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