Mt. Lebanon community and schools react to tragic murder-suicide

Patrick Lynch and His Two Children Die in Apparent Murder-Suicide at Mt. Lebanon Parking Garage on Election Day

On Election Day in Mt. Lebanon, Pennsylvania, a father and his two young children fell to their deaths behind the Mt. Lebanon Municipal Building, in an incident police are treating as a murder-suicide, NBC News reported.

The bodies of Patrick Lynch, 42, and his children James Lynch, 8, and Caroline Lynch, 6, were discovered a little after 4 p.m. Tuesday near a neighboring parking garage, according to a statement from the Allegheny County Police Department. When first responders arrived on scene, they found an adult male and two children suffering injuries from an apparent fall. Crews attempted life-saving measures until medical professionals pronounced all three deceased on scene. The Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the dead, all of whom lived in Mt. Lebanon.

US Magazine reported that authorities believe Lynch threw his two children off the parking garage before jumping to his own death, with the three bodies found in the street near the garage around 4:15 p.m. on Tuesday, November 3. Police initially said the deaths were not accidental, and the Mt. Lebanon and Allegheny County police departments eventually confirmed the victims were the two children and their father.

Mt. Lebanon murder-suicide leaves father and 2 young children dead

Preliminary information suggests the incident is a murder-suicide and that there is no danger to the community, police said. Investigators have not divulged any details about what may have led to the deaths, and it is not currently clear whether authorities believe Lynch had a motive in the killings. The Mt. Lebanon Police Department did not immediately respond to Us’ request for comment regarding updates in the case.

Police Chief Says the Community Will Feel the Trauma

Mt. Lebanon Police Chief Jason Haberman told reporters at a press conference Tuesday that his department is not treating the deaths as an accident.

Father threw kids parking garage murder suicide — Photo: usmagazine.com

“We’re treating this incident not as an accident,” Haberman said. “There will be a significant amount of trauma associated with this event for the community. Our condolences to everybody involved. Everyone in the Mt. Lebanon community will know someone involved in this incident.”

Lebanon School District announced that Markham and Washington Elementary Schools would be closed on Wednesday, November 4, following the murder-suicide. The rest of the district’s schools remained open, but the district said students could receive an excused absence if they were impacted by the tragedy.

In a statement, the district acknowledged the closeness of the loss to the school community and pointed families toward support, noting that a tragedy can affect each person differently and that it is normal to experience sadness, grief, anxiety, or uncertainty. Resolve Crisis Services are available 24 hours a day at 1-888-796-8226 for confidential support, and anyone struggling or in emotional distress can call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org, to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline around the clock. Additional resources are listed at SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources.

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“We are deeply saddened by the tragic news involving members of our Mt. Lebanon school community. Our hearts are with all those affected, and we are keeping them and their loved ones in our thoughts during this incredibly difficult time,” the district said.