According to WHIO News, all five members of the Short family died from gunshot wounds in what authorities say is a murder-suicide. The Shorts made headlines in 2014 when the youngest daughter, Willow, survived a heart transplant when she was only 1-week-old. Officials have not released who they believe was responsible for the deaths of Mark and Megan and their three children Lianna, 8; Mark Jr., 5; and Willow, 2.
Officers on the scene discovered a murder-suicide note written by hand along with the body of the family dog. The bodies of the children were found on the floor with blankets and pillows. Each child suffered from a single gunshot wound.
District Attorney John Adams told the Associated Press “This is an apparent tragic domestic incident. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families at this difficult time.” Adams also told the AP that the family had been suffering from ‘domestic issues’ and that mother Megan had been posting to her blog site about PTSD and other emotional struggles associated with her youngest daughter’s heart condition. In her blog she wrote, “I don’t think PTSD ever truly goes away but, with therapy, medication, and the right support, I have begun to loosen its grip on me. As I work on my own mental healing, I wanted to share my experience so that other heart parents know they are not alone.”