Authorities in Duluth, Minnesota, are investigating a tragic incident where a man, Anthony Nephew, 46, allegedly killed his wife, ex-partner, two children, and himself shortly after the election of President-elect Donald Trump.
The bodies of Nephew’s ex-partner, Erin Abramson, 47, and their 15-year-old son, Jacob Nephew, were discovered in their home on Thursday.
Shortly after, police found his wife, Kathryn Nephew, 45, and their 7-year-old son, Oliver Nephew, dead in a nearby residence. All five victims died from gunshot wounds.
Duluth Police Chief Mike Ceynowa confirmed Nephew had a history of mental health issues.
Investigators have not identified a clear motive, but Nephew’s online activity suggested deep political and personal distress.
In social media posts, Nephew expressed anger over Trump’s election and shared concerns about the political climate, particularly over issues like religious extremism and women’s rights.
In July, he wrote about his struggles with mental health, linking them to societal pressures and expressing fears of persecution.
He also criticized both major political parties, calling for better leadership and decrying what he described as a binary choice between “fascism and not fascism.”
Nephew’s mental health struggles were documented in a 2021 op-ed for the Duluth News Tribune, where he highlighted the stigma surrounding mental illness and the lack of support for those suffering.
Police have assured the community there is no ongoing threat, but the incident has reignited discussions about mental health, gun control, and the polarizing effects of politics in the U.S.
Duluth, a city of 90,000 residents located 135 miles north of Minneapolis, is now grappling with the tragedy.
