The only surviving son of a Navy veteran who committed a murder-suicide told The Post that his father had struggled with his mental health but “was adamant about managing it himself.”
Stuart Rouse, 64, killed his wife Christina, 63, and their two adult children, Kristina, 33, and Melissa, 19, as well as his brother Ronald, 57, in their Vancouver home. Washington, on Sunday.
Police said Rouse then pointed the gun at himself in the bathroom.
“Our father was a very patriotic man who proudly served his country,” Rouse’s only surviving son, Kristoffer Rouse, and his wife Anne Aquino said in a text message to the Post.
“He was a loving and protective father to his wife and children.
“I suffered from undiagnosed PTSD, anxiety and depression. He was a proud and very loving man.”
Stuart Rouse shot and killed his wife, his two adult daughters, his brother and himself. Image: GoFundMe. GoFundMe
According to Kristoffer, his father served approximately 20 years in the Marine Corps and struggled with mental health issues related to that.
“Mental health was a huge factor,” he told The Post.
“Everyone tried to get him help, but he insisted on controlling it himself and had horrible insomnia.”
Rouse had no criminal record before the shooting, according to the Clark County Sheriff’s Office.
A neighbor, who described the family as “typical,” said he heard screams coming from the house and then gunshots.
“Kristina always led with kindness and was very genuine. Her humor was subtle and clever and she excelled at making people feel comfortable,” wrote Aisha Reuler.GoFundMe GoFundMe
Kristoffer and Anne described Cristina, Melissa and Kristina as “the kindest, most helpful, most generous and sweetest, not to mention intelligent, human beings. What they cared about most was helping other people,” according to The Columbian.
Police arrived at the home around 1 p.m. after a family member called police hours after receiving a strange text message from Rouse, who had allegedly written that he had “harmed others,” according to Sgt. Clark County Sheriff. Chris Skidmore.
Unfortunately, the relative did not see the text message for another four hours, and when he was unable to contact his family, the relative called emergency services to conduct a welfare check at the home, authorities said.
Police believed the victims were already dead when they arrived. The motive for the shooting is unknown.
Jaimee Wacker remembered Melissa, writing, “I met Melissa in high school, she was so kind and sweet. It amazes me how the world could take such a beautiful and intelligent person.” family brochure
Anne later identified the family in an online post.
“I really don’t know how to start this, but my husband’s father, stepmother, two sisters and uncle tragically passed away on the morning of December 3rd. We are still in disbelief and our hearts are broken,” Aquino wrote on a GoFundMe page.
Tributes to the victims poured in online as news of the tragedy spread.
“Kristina always led with kindness and was very genuine. Her humor was subtle and intelligent and she excelled at making people feel comfortable,” Aisha Reuler wrote.
“She is such a happy, hard-working and sweet person to know and work with. I will cherish the memory of our matching t-shirts. “We are going to miss her enormously.”
Jaimee Wacker remembered Melissa and wrote: “I met Melissa in high school, she was so kind and sweet, I am in shock how the world could take such a beautiful and intelligent person.”
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.
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Source: vtt.edu.vn