Girl, 14, and her 51-year-old father found dead in 'murder-suicide' at their upstate New York home
A father and daughter have been found dead in their upstate New York home in what authorities have called a murder-suicide just days after the girl's mother reported being harassed by her estranged husband.
Ava Wood, 14, was found in a separate room from her father Christopher Wood, 51, in their home in Baldwinsville both with fatal gunshot wounds to the head, his appearing to be self-inflicted.
Police discovered the tragedy after conducting a welfare check at the home on Friday after Ava's mother, whose identity remains unknown, said there was no answer at the door and that her 14-year-old daughter hadn't left for school.
The devastating murder came just days after Ava's mother said her estranged husband had been sending harassing text messages and a stalking incident which took place in March last year.
Ava Wood (left), 14, and her father Christopher Wood, 51, were both found dead in their upstate New York home - both with gun shot wounds to the head, cops saying his were self-inflicted
She told police that she had spoken on the phone to Christopher on Thursday night and claims he'd said: 'This is how it ends for us.'
Baldwinsville Police Chief Michael Lefancheck and county Sheriff Toby Shelley held a news conference at midday on Friday to announce the deaths.
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Share'The gunshot to Mr. Wood does appear to be self-inflicted,' said Lefancheck.
The Sheriff's office is aware of the weapon used, but not if Wood had a permit for it.
The Baldwinsville Police Department (BPD) and Sheriff's office are currently working on putting together an accurate timeline of the incident.
They've so far said that a woman placed a 911 call at around 8.31 am on Friday morning to request a status check at 6 Triangle Place after her daughter did not show up for school Friday.
The woman reported that there were cars in the home's driveway but no answer at the door, according to dispatchers despite knowing her daughter was at home with her father.
Police discovered the tragedy after conducting a welfare check at the Baldwinsville home (pictured) after Ava's mother, whose identity remains unknown, said there was no answer at the door and that her 14-year-old daughter hadn't left for school
The Baldwinsville Police Department (BPD) and Sheriff's office are currently working on putting together an accurate timeline of the incident but have so far said that a woman placed a 911 call at around 8.31 am on Friday morning which led to the gruesome discovery
Ava primarily lived with her father at the Triangle Place home. Her parents were still married, but were separated and did not live together, police said.
Ava Wood, 14, who was found shot dead at her home in Baldwinsville, NY, on Friday
The mother and father had been involved in two previous domestic incidents, Shelley said.
The most recent took place just two days ago after the father sent harassing text messages to the mother while an earlier incident was in March 2022 which involved stalking.
Ava was a 9th-grade student at Durgee Junior High School, in Baldwinsville and was very involved at the school, especially in athletics.
Her social media accounts paint the picture of a fun-loving teenager who enjoyed spending time with friends.
Friends and community members paid tribute to the 14-year-old high school student on her Instagram account.
Meanwhile, the Baldwinsville Central School District implemented crisis counseling for students and canceled all after-school activities.
'It's important to allow children to talk about their grief experiences and what they need during this tragic time,' acting Superintendent Joseph M. DeBarbieri said in a statement.
Ava was a 9th-grade student at Durgee Junior High School, in Baldwinsville and was very involved at the school, especially in athletics
Her social media accounts paint the picture of a fun-loving teenager who enjoyed spending time with friends (left) - many of whom paid tribute after learning of her tragic murder (right)
Ava's Instagram only has a few highlighted pictures on the account but shows the young girl and her friends spending time with one another
'Counselors urge you to listen to your child's concerns and questions. After communicating this difficult news to your child, if you feel that they need additional support, our counselors will be available to provide you with resources and strategies.'
He added: 'We are a close-knit school community, and our hearts are broken by this tragedy. Our thoughts are with Ava's family and friends during this extremely difficult time.'
An investigation into the incident is still ongoing.
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