2 Men, 1 Woman Dead In Mandarin Home

Friends Identify Victims As Son, Mother, Stepfather

POSTED: Wednesday, December 16, 2009
UPDATED: 10:51 pm EST December 16, 2009

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Three people were found dead Tuesday afternoon in a Mandarin home and police said it appears to be from a double-murder and suicide.

A family member who works for Jacksonville Fire-Rescue found three bodies about 1 p.m. in the home in the 12700 block of Del Rio Drive. Police said they died of apparent gunshot wounds.

"Early indications are that one of the adults killed the other two and then killed themself," said Jacksonville Sheriff's Office Lt. Larry Schmitt.

A witness told Channel 4 she heard four gunshots Tuesday around 7 a.m., three of which were consecutive followed by a final shot that rang out seconds later.

Homicide detectives did not identify the victims, but family members identified the victims as Brad Lewitt, his mother, Mary Ann Geoghagan, and his stepfather. They said the son lived in the house next door where he was taking care of his elderly grandmother.

"We've never had any problem. They've always been good people. We've always been a close-knit family," said Lee Geoghagan, a cousin of the victims. "What could cause someone to be so distraught that they would do something such as this?"

Police will not comment on which of the people in the house shot the other two, saying it was too early in their investigation to comment. Schmitt did say that several guns were found inside the home.

"We loved them all very much and I just can't believe that this has happened," family member Juanita Bidelman told Channel 4's Laura Mazzeo.

Neighbors were shocked to learn about the violent deaths in the home.

"It's a bit troubling, obviously, being so close," said John Wolfe. "I know them, so it's a little bit tougher to take."

Cherie Gray, who has lived in the neighborhood for 20 years and knows the family. She said they seemed normal and never caused any trouble.

"It's the holiday season, you know, and people get desperate and things happen," Gray said.

From: http://www.news4jax.com/news/21983753/detail.html