http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/19/missouri-campground-death_n_1362223.html?ref=crime&icid=maing-grid10|htmlws-main-bb|dl1|sec1_lnk3%26pLid%3D144799

Missouri Campground Deaths May Be Murder-Suicide: Woman, 3 Children Killed

By JIM SALTER 03/19/12 04:28 PM ET AP

BALLWIN, Mo. -- The fatal shooting of a woman and her three young daughters, whose bodies were discovered in the middle of a remote gravel road at a Missouri resort, has been ruled a murder-suicide, a law officer said Monday.

Christine Adewunmi, 37, and her daughters 8-year-old Lauren, 6-year-old Samantha and 3-year-old Kate were discovered Saturday afternoon at the Blue Springs Ranch & Resort near Bourbon, Mo., about 80 miles southwest of St. Louis. Adewunmi's husband had reported them missing the night before.

Crawford County Sheriff Randy Martin told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch on Monday that the mother killed her daughters and then turned the gun on herself. He did not respond to repeated interview requests from The Associated Press. A deputy would say only the sheriff planned to put out a news release later in the day. The Missouri State Highway Patrol declined comment, deferring to Martin.

The killings shook the well-to-do suburban community where the family lived and people at the resort where their bodies were found. Investigators still were trying to determine what prompted the killings.

Neighbors of the Adewunmi family in the St. Louis County town of Ballwin described the mother as an attentive, always-smiling woman whose life revolved around her girls. They recalled a family of uncommon generosity, even selling lemonade in front of their home to raise money for cancer victims.

Amit Mehta, who lives two doors down, said the girls were active in the Girl Scouts and recently delivered cookies in the neighborhood.

"Very gentle, very peaceful people," Mehta said. "I could never imagine this happening. They were such happy little girls."

Sandy Suetterlin, who lives across the street from the Adewunmi's stately two-story brick home, said Christine Adewunmi often played games outside with the girls and guided them as they rode their bikes.

"She was real happy, it seemed like," Suetterlin said. "I don't get it. I wish I did. I just can't sleep at night. I'm just blown away."