SINKING SPRING >> Authorities have scheduled a press conference to release more details about the murder-suicide in Berks County that claimed the lives of five family members – including three young children.
The Berks County District Attorney’s Office has scheduled the press conference for Monday, Aug. 15, at 1 p.m. The location has not yet been selected and will be announced Monday morning.
“There will be no further updates until that time, so that we may focus all of our efforts into bringing closure to this investigation,” said Chief County Detective Michael J. Gombar, with the Berks County District Attorney’s Office. “Again we ask that you respect the privacy of the families during this difficult time.”
The bodies of Mark Short Sr., 40, his wife Megan, 33, and their three children Lianna, 8, Mark, 5, and Willow, 2, were found by police in the living room of their spacious house at 51 Winding Brook Drive at approximately 2 p.m. Police went to the home to conduct a check after Megan Short failed to show up for a lunch date and relatives became concerned about her welfare. The family dog was also found dead in the home.
All five family members died of gunshot wounds. A handgun was discovered near one of the deceased adults, according to the Berks County District Attorney’s Office.
Authorities have not said who they believe was the shooter but that is the biggest unanswered question about the investigation.
A handwritten note was found in the home, leading authorities to conclude the deaths were the result of a murder-suicide.
“This is an apparent tragic domestic incident,” Berks County District Attorney John T. Adams said in a statement. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families at this difficult time. This investigation is ongoing.”
