Authorities say a Georgia sheriff's detective is one of the victims of a murder-suicide that took place Tuesday afternoon.
A spokesperson for the Paulding County Sheriff's Office told Fox 5 News that deputies responded to the home of Detective Sam Driskell in Hiram at around 1:30 p.m. local time after he failed to show up for court.
When they entered the home, they found Cpl. Driskell, 52, his wife Muachin, 36, and their 12-year-old daughter Carolyn all dead from a gunshot wound. Investigators believe Driskell's stepson, 21-year-old Felix Almonte, who was also found dead inside the home, was the gunman.
Officials believe all were shot overnight using a Glock .45, believed to be the same make as Driskell's service weapon. Paulding County Sheriff Gary Gulledge told reporters late Tuesday that Driskell's gun was missing from its holster.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has been brought in to help investigate the incident and determine what led up to the murder-suicide. The victims' bodies are expected to undergo autopsies on Wednesday. GBI Special Agent Greg Ramey told reporters that the bodies were found within 15 feet of each other.
Cpl. Driskell, 52, was a 10-year veteran with the sheriff's office. He was the Director for the Sex Offender Registry. Driskell has been recognized by various law enforcement agencies and was honored by the Paulding County Board of Commissioners in September for his efforts to maintain and update the Sex Offender Registry in the county.
"We lost one the best guys we ever had," Gulledge said during a press conference Tuesday. "He is here early; he leaves late and works for free."
Funeral arraignments have not yet been announced. Hiram is located approximately 25 miles northwest of Atlanta.
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