A quiet neighborhood in North Phoenix has been left searching for answers following a tragic incident inside a family home. On January 18, a couple was found dead in what is believed to be a murder-suicide. Phoenix police responded to the scene near 2900 West Bell Road after receiving a call around 5:14 p.m., where they discovered Sam Ertebati and Celestina Ertebati, both 42 years old, unresponsive with a gun nearby, according to FOX 10 Phoenix.
The couple's two children, who were home at the time, became concerned when their parents did not wake up and reached out to a family member. The relative made the grim discovery of the pair deceased in their bedroom, which led to the police call. "Preliminary information indicate that Celestine shot Sam, before turning the gun on herself," officers said, ensuring the public that no one else was harmed in the incident, as reported by FOX 10 Phoenix.
A small memorial has started to form outside the residence, as friends and neighbors remember Sam Ertebati as a "great person," according to what one neighbor told FOX 10 Phoenix.
The investigation is ongoing as detectives work to piece together the events leading up to the shooting. Meanwhile, the police have confirmed the identities of the deceased as Sam and Celestina Ertebati. The authorities provided no additional details, but the search for answers continues. If you or someone you know is in crisis, support is available through the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, offering free and confidential emotional support, which can be reached by calling or texting 988 or via online chat, as noted by AZFamily.com.
