Identity of mother released in North Hills murder-suicide that left 4 dead, including infant
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- Police suspect the bodies found on Londelius Street in North Hills last week were the result of a murder-suicide.
Officials have released the name of the mother who died along with her husband and children in an apparent murder-suicide in North Hills last week.
The Los Angeles Police Department responded to a shooting on May 27 at 7:50 p.m. in the 16000 block of Londelius Street, according to a department spokesperson. Two minors and two adults were found dead inside, and homicide detectives are investigating the incident.
The mother was identified as Marine Basmajian, 30, who died by suicide via a gunshot wound to her head, according to the Los Angeles County medical examiner.
Basmajian allegedly killed her husband, Khajag Basmajian, 31, and her children, Alec Basmajian, 2, and Ella Basmajian, whose age was listed as 6 days, according to police. Their identities were released previously.
The medical examiner’s office listed the cause of death for the other three people as gunshot wounds to the head.
Police are not searching for a suspect, and early evidence points to a multiple murder-suicide, according to a law enforcement source familiar with the incident but not authorized to speak publicly.
A Baldwin Park couple died along with another man in a shooting in the city early Friday morning that is being investigated by homicide detectives.
A GoFundMe page created to help support the family’s expenses described Marine as “a caring mother and wife who found comfort in organization and enjoyed gatherings among her loved ones.”
“In a single moment, we lost an entire young family who were deeply loved by everyone who knew them,” according to the page.
The fundraiser has raised more than $175,000 in donations as of Tuesday. More than 900 people have contributed.
The family said Khajag was “a devoted husband, loving father, cherished son, brother, and friend. To know him is to love him. With a beaming smile on his face and a positive outlook on life, he was truly a friend you could count on.”
Alec, the 2-year-old son, “loved his toy vehicles and getting a taste for life one bite at a time (ice cream was his favorite),” according to the page.
Neighbor Karen Banuelos told The Times that the grandfather of the children spoke to another neighbor and revealed what happened.
“It’s so depressing, it’s so devastating for everyone. Postpartum [depression] is real,” Banuelos said, after noting the mother had recently delivered a baby. “To get possessed to do that? It’s just, there’s no words.”
Suicide prevention resources infobox
If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, seek help from a professional or call 988. The nationwide three-digit mental health crisis hotline will connect callers with trained mental health counselors. Or text “HOME” to 741741 in the U.S. and Canada to reach the Crisis Text Line.
Times staff writers Richard Winton, Genaro Molina and Clara Harter contributed to this report.