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Trigger-Happy 'Family Values' on Display: Father-Son Duo Found in Deadly Embrace

Oh brilliant, another day in paradise! Father and son found dead in a camper, because who needs family therapy when you have a murder-suicide pact? Thanks, toxic masculinity, you've outdone yourself again. Isabella County, Michigan, you're really painting the town red.

Published August 23, 2024 at 11:35am by Taylor Ardrey

** trigger warning: suicide mention **

Listen up, folks. If the world's got you feeling down, please tap out and reach out to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. If you're dealing with domestic abuse, the National Domestic Violence Hotline is there for you at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233), or you can swing by their website for a virtual chat.

Now, let's dive into the latest heartwarming tale from the American dreamscape.

A dad and his kid went MIA in Isabella County, Michigan, only to be found in a real-life horror movie scene inside a camper. Yep, it's a murder-suicide investigation now.

Local cops said the 6-year-old was reported missing on Monday, according to WNEM. Mom said junior was with dad for a custody visit and was supposed to come back. Spoiler alert: he didn't.

Isabella County Sheriff Michael Main told WPBN that deputies couldn't find them at dad's place, and relatives couldn't reach them for 24 hours. So, of course, someone took matters into their own hands and smashed a camper window.

"The family arrived at the property and began to look for the two. A family member decided to break out a window on a camper that was in the rear of the property," the sheriff's office said, as reported by Fox 2. Spoiler alert number two: they found more than they bargained for.

USA TODAY reached out to the Isabella County Sheriff's Office for comment, because, you know, journalism.

Authorities confirm death of father, son

The family member found the 48-year-old dad dead. Authorities arrived, busted open the camper, and discovered both dad and son with gunshot wounds. They put two and two together and determined it was a murder-suicide. Shocking, I know.

Isabella County Sheriff's Office and Michigan State Police Crime Lab are on the case. The dad and son's names haven't been released. Isabella County is about 80 miles from Grand Rapids, in case you were planning a road trip.

Taylor Ardrey is a news reporter for USA TODAY. Slide into her DMs at tardrey@gannett.com.

Stay woke, folks. This is America.