The first photos emerged on Tuesday of a seemingly “typical” Washington family who died in a tragic murder-suicide.
Stuart Rouse, 64, and his wife Christina, 63, were found dead inside their Vancouver, Washington, home on Sunday, alongside their two adult children Kristina and Melissa, and Stuart’s brother in an apparent murder-suicide.
Police have said based on evidence they saw at the house, Rouse killed his wife and family before turning the gun on himself in the bathroom.
The family were identified by Rouse’s daughter-in-law Anne Aquino, who is married to the family’s sole surviving son, Kristoffer Rouse.
“I don’t really know how to start this, but my husband’s dad, stepmom, 2 sisters, and uncle, tragically passed away the morning of Dec 3rd. We’re still in disbelief and our hearts are shattered,” Aquino wrote on a GoFundMe page.
When contacted by The Post, Aquino said she was “not ready” to talk and declined to comment further.
Stuart did not have any criminal background prior to the shooting, according to the Clark County Sheriff’s Office.
Stuart, 64, and Christina Rouse, 63, were found dead inside their Vancouver, Washington, home on Sunday, alongside their two adult children Kristina and Melissa, and an uncle in an apparent murder-suicide. GoFundMeA neighbor, who described the family as “typical,” said they heard screaming coming from the house before hearing gunshots go off.
Police arrived at the house around 1 p.m. after a relative called police hours after receiving an odd text message from Stuart, who allegedly had written he had “harmed others, according to KOIN. Police believed the victims were dead when they arrived for a welfare check.
For several hours, deputies stood outside the house and tried to get in contact with the shooter through bullhorns. The home was ruled a crime scene and officers needed a warrant to enter.
After obtaining one, they sent a drone inside the home, and found several people who appeared to be dead, the sheriff’s office said.
The motive for the shooting is unknown.
Old friends remembered Melissa and Kristina on the fundraiser.
A neighbor, who described the family as “typical,” said they heard screaming coming from the house prior to hearing gunshots go off. Police arrived at the house around 1 p.m. after a relative called police hours after receiving an odd text message from Stuart, who alleged said he had “harmed others. Police believed the victims were dead when they arrived for a welfare check. AP“Kristina always lead with kindness and was so genuine. Her humor was subtle and smart and she excelled at making people feel comfortable,” Aisha Reuler wrote. “Such a joyful, hard working, sweet person to know and work with. I will treasure the memory of our matching shirts. She will be greatly missed.”
Jaimee Wacker remembered Melissa, writing: “I knew Melissa in high school, she was so kind and sweet, I’m in shock how the world could take such a beautiful and smart person away.”
The family had previously suffered tragedy in 2021 when one of their sons, Brian, died at the age of 38. Posts on a memorial page indicated he had taken his own life.
