HILLSBORO, Ore. – A 45-year-old father found dead with his two children along a hiking trail is believed to have shot them before killing himself, police said.
The body of James Gumm, 45, of Hillsboro was found at a nature preserve Friday along with that of 7-year-old Tyler Gumm and 6-year-old Kylie Gumm.
A medical examiner confirmed on Saturday that all three were shot with a 9mm. handgun. Such a handgun was recovered from the site.
Hillsboro police spokesman Lt. Michael Rouches told KGW news that based on interviews with the family, detectives believe Gumm had emotional issues linked to his divorce that may have led to the killings.
KGW said a public records search indicates divorce proceedings began in Tillamook County in 1992 but were never completed. The Gumms were granted a divorce in early 2008.
Rouches said Gumm apparently couldn't handle his family falling apart. Gumm was unemployed and had no criminal record.
Stan Hayes was working on a nearby farm when he said he heard rapid gunshots around 11 a.m. Friday.
He said he thought at first that it was a hunter.
It is the second time in a week in the Portland area that a parent has been suspected of killing a child.
Amanda Stott-Smith, 31, is charged with aggravated murder, blamed for throwing her two children off of Portland's Sellwood bridge into the Willamette River 75 feet below a week earlier.
Her son, Eldon Jay Rebhan Smith, 4, died. His seven-year-old sister survived.
Hillsboro police said they have no indication that one incident led to the other.
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