Daryl Benway: Father kills daughter and shoots son in head before turning gun on himself

Distraught mother dragged away by police after returning home to find ex had killed daughter, 7, and shot 9-year-old son in head

  • Kelleen Benway was arrested in confusion over multiple shootings in Oxford, Massachusetts

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This is the horrifying moment that a mother discovered her seven-year-old daughter had been shot dead and son, nine, seriously injured by her estranged husband before he committed suicide.

The bodies of Abigail Benway and her father Daryl, 41, were discovered in the master bedroom of the family home by a relative on Saturday evening.

Nine-year-old Owen was taken to hospital in serious condition after being shot in the head.

When the children's mother Kelleen Benway arrived at the house in Oxford, Massachusetts she was arrested by police officers down to confusion over who was responsible for the shooting. She was later released and was at her son's bedside in UMass Memorial Children's Medical Center.

Distress: Kelleen Benway is taken into custody after confusion over the mass shooting at her home in Oxford, Massachusetts. She was later released

Distress: Kelleen Benway is taken into custody after confusion over the mass shooting at her home in Oxford, Massachusetts. She was later released

Horror: Mrs Benway is taken away by an officer after the tragic murder-suicide

Horror: Mrs Benway is taken away by an officer after the tragic murder-suicide

Mrs Benway had returned home after the shootings, unaware of what had happened and found a swarm of police cruisers and television crews.

Worcester District Attorney Joseph D Early Jr said that he would not speculate on a motive but that Mr Benway and his wife separated about a month ago.

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Neighbors of the pair confirmed that Mrs Benway, known to some as Kelly, had been looking for a new place to live.

'It doesn’t get much worse than this,' said Mr Early.

'It’s horrible. It’s a horrible scene.'

Daryl Benway (centre) his wife Kelleen, (right), daughter Nickole (left) daughter Abigail (bottom left), son Owen (centre), and granddaughter Arianna (bottom right)

Daryl Benway (centre) his wife Kelleen, (right), daughter Nickole (left) daughter Abigail (bottom left), son Owen (centre), and granddaughter Arianna (bottom right)

Daryl Benway, 41, with his wife Kelleen and son Owen and daughter Abigail

Daryl Benway, 41, with his wife Kelleen and son Owen and daughter Abigail

The Benways lived on the second floor of the residence and Mr Benway's brother Shawn apparently occupied the first floor with his wife and the brothers' mother.

Shawn Benway called 911 after hearing the shots come from upstairs.

While police would not divulge the type of gun used in the shooting, they did confirm that Mr Benway's license had expired in 1999.

No restraining orders had been filed against Daryl Benway and he had no criminal record, the DA said.

Mrs Benway was accompanied to hospital by her 25-year-old daughter Nickolefrom a previous marriage.

Neighors described Mr Benway as an overweight man who had a career in information technology.

According to his Facebook page, he worked at TJX Companies and attended Oxford High School.

'I don’t understand how you can do something like that,' said neighbor John Forand.

Other's wrote on Mr Benway's Facebook page to express their shock and disbelief.

'I wished you would have called me I can’t believe this when we talked the other day everything seemed kool I’m gonna miss you,' wrote one.

Others simply asked:'Why?'

Daryl Benway posted this picture of the first fish his daughter Abigail caught. Mr. Benway killed his daughter in Oxford, Massachusetts on Saturday 28th of July

Daryl Benway posted this picture of the first fish his daughter Abigail caught. Mr. Benway killed his daughter in Oxford, Massachusetts on Saturday 28th of July

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