Case of Couple Found Dead in Home with Three Young Children Takes a Chilling Turn
June 22, 2022 Courtney and Eric Huard were found dead in their home. Police initially suspected that the deaths were
CELEB Magazine
June 22, 2022 Courtney and Eric Huard were found dead in their home.
Police initially suspected that the deaths were not a random act of violence, and now have provided an update that is even more heartbreaking than loved ones feared.
Although their deaths were horrifying enough to begin with, knowing what actually happened sets the deaths against a chilling backdrop – one of domestic violence and horror, the likes of which their three children will be forced to grapple with for the rest of their lives.
Murder-Suicide
It was a murder-suicide.
The young couple who shared three children together were found dead in their home, their three young children present but alive.
Police initially suspected it was not a random act of violence but took their time investigating before revealing the circumstances surrounding their deaths. Approximately one month passed between their bodies being found and the pronouncement of the cause of death.
Although the immediate cause of death was obvious – gunshot wounds – the mystery around why they were both dead, and their children unharmed, haunted family and friends.
Now, they have revealed that Courtney was a victim of domestic homicide – and Eric took his own life in a horrifying murder-suicide that left their children unharmed but scarred for life by the tragedy.
What We Know
Life seemed to be going in a positive direction for the couple. In March, Courtney started her own business – sharing the news to Facebook to celebrate with family and friends.
But by summer, the couple would be dead – and their children orphaned and traumatized by the proximity of their parents' violent deaths.
Police responded to their Cumberland, Rhode Island, residence on June 22, responding to reports of a couple wounded by gunshots.
Last week, police updated with the circumstances surrounding their deaths.
The Sun reports, "The investigation – which also involved Rhode Island State Police, Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha’s office and the Office of State Medical Examiner – determined Eric fatally shot his wife before turning the gun on himself.
The three children were not harmed in the deadly attack.
Cumberland Police Chief Matthew J. Benson said in a statement: 'I would like to recognize the diligent efforts and collaborative approach of Cumberland Police detectives, the Rhode Island State Police, Attorney General Neronha’s office and the Office of State Medical Examiners.
'We are reminded that there are three children who lost their parents, and two families that are devastated by the loss of their loved ones.'"
Benson added, "Our thoughts continue to be with them at this time."
Courtney was described as a loving and dedicated mother, who enjoyed bike riding, running and walking the family's two dogs.
She leaves behind three children – Grant, Blake and Sydney.
A GoFundMe has been launched to help the children in the wake of their unimaginable tragedy, and has raised just under $100K.
Domestic violence is an often under-reported and under-recognized epidemic in the United States. Both men and women can be victims of domestic violence, but women are more likely to be killed by a partner or family member than anyone else.
*If you or someone you know is in need of resources or help regarding issues related to this story, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or chat at thehotline.org.*