Financial Problems Blamed in San Diego Murder-Suicide

Investigators said Thursday that a woman distraught by family financial problems was responsible for killing her family in a murder-suicide in a quiet San Diego neighborhood the day before.

Colette Siemsglusz, 30, died at 10 p.m. Wednesday, about 16 hours after fatally shooting her sleeping husband Scott, 31, daughter Taylor, 4, and son Parker, 5 months. She died at Sharp Memorial Hospital of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head

Scott Siemsglusz and the children died at the family’s home in the San Diego community of Allied Gardens. San Diego homicide Lt. Jim Duncan said they were shot several times with a large caliber handgun. Each victim was shot at least once in the head.

“It was a murder-suicide. That’s the way we viewed it. There was no indication of forced entry, and the gun was found underneath Colette,” Duncan said.

Although Colette Siemsglusz did not leave a note, Duncan said investigators determined that financial difficulties caused by her spending led to the shootings.

“The common thread we found through interviews of family members and friends is that they had been having financial problems for many years, most of it due to her spending,” Duncan said.

The couple auctioned their house--which they purchased from Scott Siemsglusz’s parents five years ago--in January.

“This led to discussions of divorce, which caused some serious problems with her and put her over the edge,” Duncan said.

Colette Siemsglusz called police at 6:05 a.m. Wednesday, saying either “I need help” or “We need help,” Duncan said.

Arriving officers broke into the house through a rear door. Duncan said they were traumatized by the grisly scene, especially the children’s deaths, and are receiving counseling.