New Jersey

NJ Mother Who Shot Kids Before Turning Gun on Herself Dies: Police

A New Jersey mother accused of shooting her three kids in her bedroom before turning the gun on herself has died, according to New Jersey State Police.

Jeaninne LePage, 44, died at Cooper Hospital in Camden Sunday morning, police confirmed. She and her three children were found shot last Thursday in the bed neighbors say the four shared.

Police say LePage, who was hospitalized since the shooting, killed two of her kids before turning the gun on herself inside their Holly Park Drive home in Tabernacle. The weapon was found near her.

Eight-year-old Nadia Harriman and her 14-year-old brother, Nicholas Harriman, died, according to the state police.

Alexander Harriman, 11, remained in severely critical condition at Cooper University Hospital Sunday, officials said.

Neighbors identified the victims Thursday, but authorities waited to confirm their names until family members, including the children's father, who was located in Maryland, were informed of the deaths.

Another relative who lives in the house found the victims at around 9 a.m. and called for help. Investigators believe the mother shot herself and the children between 5 a.m. and 9 a.m.

"When police got there, they found a really horrific scene," said Stephen Jones, a spokesman for the New Jersey State Police. The victims were found in the same room and police believe they were shot with the same handgun, which was found at the scene."

Police say LePage used a pillow to muffle the sound of the gunshots.

A motive remains under investigation, but neighbors said LePage had financial troubles.

At a community vigil Thursday night, friends of the children remembered their classmates.

Students and staff at Seneca High School -- where Nicholas Harriman was a student -- had a moment of silence for the family Friday morning. Grief counselors were also on hand at local schools Friday to talk with students and staff.

A trust fund has been set up at PNC Bank under the name LePage-Harriman Memorial Fund.  

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