Joliet Mom Shoots Twin Girls Dead Before Turning Gun On Herself

Celisa Henning and her twin daughters Makayla and Addison, have been IDed as the woman and two children found dead in what is believed to be a murder-suicide in southwest suburban Joliet, Ill., Monday. Henning was 41, her daughters were about to turn six.

Autopsies were scheduled for Tuesday to confirm the cause of death for the three family members, but police said it appeared all three died of gunshot wounds.

Just after 3 p.m., officers responded to a death investigation at the home in the 400 block of North Reed Street in Joliet, according to a statement from Joliet police. When officers arrived they were met by a family member who directed them inside the home, where they witnessed the disturbing scene police described only as “tragic and horrible,” authorities said. “This is an ongoing investigation into a very tragic incident,” Joliet Police Chief Brian Benton said. source

Witnesses said the father of the children made the gruesome discovery.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends at this difficult time.