Son, Parents Die in Apparent Murder-Suicide

A divorced couple and their adult son were found shot to death in Northridge on Thursday in what appeared to be two suicides and a homicide, Los Angeles police said.

The county coroner’s office will have to determine who shot whom, police Lt. Kyle Jackson said.

David Zipp, 60, his ex-wife, Carolyn, 58, and their son Scott, 29, were found dead in Carolyn Zipp’s house in the 17600 block of Gledhill Street about 8 a.m., Jackson said. Handguns were found near both Scott and David Zipp’s bodies, which were found very close together, Jackson said.

A neighbor said David Zipp usually carried a pistol.

A cleaning woman working in a house nearby reported hearing shots about 10:30 Wednesday night, and a source close to the family told police that family members were fighting at the time, Jackson said.

Neighbors said David and Carolyn Zipp were divorced several years ago after the gunshot suicide of one of their four sons, but that David Zipp, who often traveled on business, continued to live with his ex-wife when he was in town. Scott Zipp, who relatives said had a learning disability, lived with his mother.

David Zipp had returned from one of his long business trips less than two weeks ago, neighbors said.